Shunned by slot-holders for The Everest, Bjorn Baker’s Overpass blitzes his rivals in a dramatic Sydney Stakes

Bjorn Baker was adamant Overpass would have been fighting out the finish of The Everest if selected and the gelding justified his trainer’s faith with a brilliant win in the Sydney Stakes.

If trainer Bjorn Baker had his way, Overpass would have been in The Everest fighting out the finish.

Instead, those slot-holders who shunned the sprinter could only watch with admiration as Overpass gave a commanding performance to win the Group 3 $2 million Sydney Stakes (1200m).

But there was muted celebrations from Baker and the owners of Overpass immediately after the race as there were grave fears for the welfare of Think About It who had collapsed on the track at the top of the straight.

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In dramatic scenes, Think About It, last year’s Everest winner, lay motionless on the track as jockey Jason Collett tried to comfort the sprinter.

Onlookers were in shock as the dreaded black screen was erected around Think About It while trainer Joe Pride’s son, Brave, who was strapping runner-up, Coal Crusher, sank to his knees.

After several minutes, the crowd suddenly cheered as Think About It miraculously regained his feet and was led away for further veterinary treatment.

“The initial reports are Think About It suffered a massive bleeding attack,” Racing NSW chief steward Steve Railton said. “But he has got back on his feet which was great to see.”

Meanwhile, Baker was left wondering what might have been after Overpass ($5.50) led most of the way to win the Sydney Stakes by one-and-a-half lengths from another Pride-trained sprinter, Coal Crusher ($61) with Southport Tycoon ($4.60 favourite) three-quarter of a length away third.

“Look, I think Overpass would have run first or second in The Everest,” Baker said.

“We were pushing hard to get him in but this is a pretty good consolation. We’re very lucky.

“I thought this race was a Group 1 race in everything but status. It was a stacked field, and he’s some sort of horse, this guy.

Overpass wins the G3 Sydney Stakes, giving Josh Parr a feature double today at Randwick!@BBakerRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/HMKm7lboXn

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

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“Trainers can handle the truth carelessly from time to time but there’s no doubt I was after an Everest slot, and maybe I’m handling the truth too carelessly because the boy who cried wolf is spot on today.

“He may not quite be a champion but he’s our champion today. He’s made me a better trainer.”

Overpass scored his ninth win from 27 starts and took his career earnings to more than $8.8 million – a staggering return on the $75,000 that syndicator Scott Darby of Darby Racing paid for the horse as a yearling.

The six-year-old son of Golden Slipper winner Vancouver is an outstanding first-up exponents as he demonstrated yet again on Everest Day.

“Darby racing has been amazing for me stable and this is my horse that keeps punching every autumn, every spring,” Baker said.

“Without a horse like him, times can get very tough very quickly. So, it’s very great for my team. He’s done a great job.

“We said all along that he would be here on Everest Day ready to fire first-up and he was absolutely spot on today.

“He’s been very lightly raced and the one blemish on his record was this day last year. Maybe we can put it right next year.”

OVERPASS vindicates the “fresh is best” philosophy in a dominant win in the Sydney Stakes.

I couldn’t be more proud of this guy 💙

10/10 from @JoshuaParr8pic.twitter.com/XIVcqrwhzK

— Bjorn Baker Racing (@BBakerRacing) October 19, 2024

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Overpass has been one of Sydney’s best sprinters for three seasons but the Sydney Stakes was his first win at Royal Randwick.

“But you can argue that he’s run some mighty races here,” Baker said.

“One day he finished behind Nature Strip - the world’s best sprinter - only beaten a length and a half. To me, Overpass is a just a superstar. He always puts in.”

Baker said he is considering taking Overpass back to Perth where the sprinter for the summer carnival and target a second successive Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes next month.

Josh Parr has developed a great rapport with Overpass and rates the sprinter superbly from the front.

“I’ve got so much faith and love for this horse,” Parr said.

“It is just remarkable when you know you can get on a horse and you know they’ll perform for you.

“His gallop on Tuesday morning was close to the best piece of work I have ever ridden and Bjorn has absolutely nailed the set up. The ‘fresh but fit set up’ with him has worked again.”

Parr said he was desperate to set the record straight for Overpass in Sydney.

“This is his big Sydney win now,” Parr said. “I think I’ve taken it a little bit personally, and the fact that he’s won, obviously, in Perth the last three times he’s gone there, and he’s ticked off a big win here at Randwick. There is a nice proud feeling about it.”

Originally published as Shunned by slot-holders for The Everest, Bjorn Baker’s Overpass blitzes his rivals in a dramatic Sydney Stakes