Bjorn Baker believes Overpass deserves crack at another Everest

Bjorn Baker’s star sprinter Overpass made a compelling case for another crack at The Everest following his brave runner-up finish to Giga Kick in the Doomben 10,000.

If you push super sprinter Giga Kick to a half-length in a Group 1 over 1200m then that must make a compelling case for The Everest selection.

At least, this is how connections of Overpass are thinking after his brave effort to make a race of it with Giga Kick in the Doomben 10,000 last Saturday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker and managing owner Scott Darby have decided to send Overpass for a spell rather than continue with a Brisbane carnival campaign believing their sprinter has done enough to make The Everest field.

“I thought it was an unbelievable run by Overpass in the 10,000 as he had to work hard at both ends of the race,’’ Baker said.

“Hopefully, he has mounted a strong case for an Everest slot now, particularly with his form around Giga Kick.’’

Darby is adamant Overpass is a better horse now than the sprinter who ran competitively when sixth in Giga Kick’s The Everest last spring but he has not received any approaches from slot-holders for this year’s race, run at Royal Randwick on October 14.

“We are hoping Overpass will get to The Everest again,’’ Darby said.

“I think many of the slot-holders are waiting a lot longer before making their moves as they probably want to see how the spring unfolds.

“He has definitely come back that little bit better this autumn and we have worked out how to have the horse racing at his best.

“If he is picked up for The Everest, then we want to go either first or second-up into the race. We feel because he puts so much into his races, he’s at his best when fresh and that is why his form can start to taper off later in a preparation.’’

Overpass, winner of the inaugural The Quokka in Perth last month before his Doomben 10,000 second placing, is already back at Baker’s Warwick Farm stables and will be sent to the spelling paddock during the week.

“We could have kept going in Brisbane but he has had a bit of travelling so we will put him aside for the spring,’’ Baker said.

“He’s definitely at his best when fresh and I think we might look at The Shorts with him first-up then have a month between runs into The Everest.’’

Baker and Darby also race the promising juvenile Ozzmosis who impressed again at the Randwick barrier trials on Monday morning.

Champion jockey James McDonald put Ozzmosis through his paces as the son of Zoustar zoomed home from back in the field to win his trial.

Ozzmosis has now won all three of his official barrier trials with Baker readying the youngster for his race debut which could be as soon as Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves but Ozzmosis does look promising,’’ Darby said.

“If he is the horse we think he is then we will look at the Coolmore (Stud Stakes) and possibly the Golden Rose in the spring.’’