Bjorn Baker explains why star sprinter Overpass will miss Queensland winter carnival

Quokka winner Overpass was missing among the Group 1 Queensland winter carnival nominations and trainer Bjorn Baker reveals why.

Overpass has been sent for a spell and will be the Doomben 10,000.

Dual The Quokka winner Overpass won’t race again this season after an untimely temperature scuppered plans to send the gun sprinter to Queensland for the Group 1 $1.5 million Doomben 10,000 later this month.

Overpass was a noticeable omission from the first round of nominations for the Queensland Group 1 feature with trainer Bjorn Baker confirming the smart son of Vancouver had been sent to the spelling paddock.

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“He just had a temperature last week,” Baker said.

“He has done a good job and it’s obviously disappointing he can’t go to the Doomben 10,000.

“I was looking forward to getting to the 10,000 but we will look to the spring now.

“He looks to be recovering pretty well so we are not concerned about him so we will make sure he spells well and get him back in good order.”

Overpass finished second behind Giga Kick in last year’s Doomben 10,000 and had been one of the leading contenders in early betting to salute on May 18 at Doomben.

Overpass makes it back-to-back Quokkas! 👏@[e-mail]/4xpffbEjtP

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The classy five-year-old has only had one start this year with Baker narrowing his autumn focus on defending Overpass’s The Quokka crown at Ascot last month.

Overpass produced another sustained effort on speed to claim the $5 million feature and take his career earnings soaring past the $7.7 million mark.

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Baker has more slot-race glory in mind for Overpass in the spring with plans to give the gelding his third crack at The Everest if he is picked up by a slot holder.

“Hopefully we can get back into the The Everest, we might even go to that first up, or we have The Everest consolation (Sydney Stakes), and even might consider an option or two in Melbourne,” Baker said.

“We may look at the Winterbottom later on as well.”

Overpass snared his maiden Group 1 by winning the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot last December.

Originally published as Bjorn Baker explains why star sprinter Overpass will miss Queensland winter carnival