Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker to decide on CF Orr Stakes tilt for Overpass after Tuesday gallop

A Tuesday gallop at Warwick Farm will be the basis for trainer Bjorn Baker’s decision on whether to tackle Saturday’s Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield with three-year-old Overpass.

Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker will decide on Overpass’s Saturday target after the colt works on Tuesday morning. Picture: Getty Images.

Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker says Tuesday’s track gallop will determine whether he sends exciting three-year-old Overpass south to tackle Saturday’s Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

Overpass won the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) first-up, beating Cox Plate runner-up Anamoe, on a controversial Rosehill track.

Baker has entered Overpass for next month’s Group 1 Newmarket Handicap, but the colt could make his Melbourne return over 1400m in the CF Orr Stakes.

Overpass ran a sound sixth to Home Affairs in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington at his last Melbourne appearance.

Overpass is also among the entries for Saturday’s Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m).

“We’ll see how he gallops on Tuesday and see where we go from there,” Baker said.

“At this stage, all options are open.”

Baker has booked jockey Craig Newitt to ride Overpass if the son of Vancouver runs in the CF Orr Stakes.

Overpass defeated Caulfield Guineas winner and Cox Plate runner-up Anamoe in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes when resuming. Picture: Getty Images.

Overpass is one of 21 entries for the $750,000 CF Orr Stakes.

The son of Vancouver is among a trio of three-year-olds among the entries.

All Too Hard (2013) and Alabama Express (2019) have won the CF Orr Stakes as three-year-olds in recent years.

Redoute’s Choice (2000) was the first of four straight three-year-old winners of the CF Orr Stakes to start the 21st century.

Group 1 winners Behemoth, Callsign Mav, I’m Thunderstruck and Colette are among the top-rated nominations for the CF Orr Stakes.

Imported galloper Sinawann has opened as the $3.50 favourite in TAB’s ‘all-in’ Orr Stakes market after his pleasing return to racing in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley.

I’m Thunderstruck is the $4.50 second favourite ahead of Tofane ($6) and Behemoth ($8).

Originally published as Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker to decide on CF Orr Stakes tilt for Overpass after Tuesday gallop