Bjorn Baker will stick to autumn programs that has proven successful for Overpass and Arapaho

Bjorn Baker is already planning autumn campaigns for Overpass and Arapaho following their interstate feature wins last Saturday.

Bjorn Baker will follow a proven preparation for Overpass and Arapaho next autumn. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Trainer Bjorn Baker will revert to a proven Sydney autumn carnival preparation that has worked so successfully previously for stable stars Overpass and Arapaho.

Baker said both in-form horses are due to be sent for well-deserved summer spells after their interstate feature race wins last Saturday.

Overpass maintained his perfect Perth record when scoring a second successive win in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.

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Earlier in the day, stablemate Arapaho was back to his best in the Group 2 Zipping Classic at Caulfield.

Baker is already planning autumn campaigns for Overpass and Arapaho after running out of big-race options for both horses this summer.

“There are no suitable races for Overpass so he is due home Tuesday and then he can go for a break,’’ Baker said.

“It’s the same for Arapaho, he’s done his job now so we will concentrate on the autumn.’’

Overpass! That's back-to-back Winterbottom Stakes and he extends his unbeaten record at Ascot to four! 💯

Job done for @BBakerRacing and jockey @JoshuaParr8 ✅ pic.twitter.com/aab8Ajqxfo

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 30, 2024

Baker said it will be a case of “rinse and repeat” with Overpass who will return to Perth and attempt a third successive win in the $5m The Quokka next April.

The trainer said a “deal is close to being finalised’’ to secure a slot for Overpass in The Quokka after the brilliant sprinter scored his 10th career win from 29 starts in the Winterbottom, taking the gelding’s career earnings to $9.7m.

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Arapaho won his first race in 20 months with his dominant effort in the Zipping Classic.

The $2.5m earner had very little racing after winning the Group 1 Tancred Stakes last year due to minor health issues.

Arapaho back on the winners list with a brilliant ride from Rachel King!

Delayed flight no problem! Comes down and wins the Zipping Classic 👏@BBakerRacingpic.twitter.com/HGvO8mTO13

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 30, 2024

But Baker said the eight-year-old gelding showed at Caulfield that he is back to his best and will be a major force in the feature staying races next autumn.

“We will look at getting him back for the Tancred Stakes, he’s so good around 2400m,’’ the trainer said.

Meanwhile, Baker will be keen to continue his stable’s winning momentum this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens with Battleton, Highlights and Hollywood Hero entered for the Benchmark 94 Handicap (1400m) and Iowna Merc, Shalailed and Disneck among nominations for the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1100m).

Originally published as Bjorn Baker will stick to autumn programs that has proven successful for Overpass and Arapaho