It was worth $1,000,000 more than last year, but the result was the same: the Vancouver gelding Overpass relegates the local star Amelia's Jewel to second in the $5,000,000 The Kia Quokka at Ascot on Saturday.
Once again ridden by Josh Parr for Bjorn Baker, the Darby racing colour bearer defeated the Siyouni mare Amelia's Jewel by a length, with the 3-year-old Rich Enuff gelding Oscar's Fortune a head back in third. An outstanding result for Woodside Park Stud.
Overpass is now three for three in Western Australia after winning the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes last December.
"I'm a purist of racing, I'm not going to say he's a champion yet because we have to do a bit more in the Group 1s," Baker said.
"But he is our champion. He’s Ram Racing's champion. He's Darby Racing's champion and has been the stable stalwart.
"It was a great ride from Josh (Parr); he rode him like the best horse. He has as constant form as any sprinter in Australia.
"It's not easy to win in Western Australia, where there are a lot of good trainers and jockeys.
"I just think I've got the right horse for the right time.
"This guy is a bit of a warrior. He never shows you that much, but when he gets into the thick of a fight, he just keeps giving. Wish I was as resilient as him."
The financial windfall advances the record of Overpass to eight wins and five seconds from 26 starts with earnings of $7,711,500.
That is a good return on the $75,000 outlaid by Darby Racing / Will Johnson Bloodstock for the son of Vancouver from the Corumbene Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale Round 2.
Bred by Corumbene Stud, Overpass is the best of five winners from as many to race for the winning Exceed and Excel mare Walkway, whose dam Boardwalk Bell (Bellotto) is a half-sister to 9-time Group 1 winner Northerly.
Walkway has a 2-year-old colt by Capitalist who was a $25,000 purchase for Frampton Racing at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
After foaling a full sister to Overpass last spring, Walkaway was covered by Stay Inside.
A Golden Slipper-winning son of Medaglia d’Oro (USA), Vancouver stands at Woodside Park Stud for $11,000.
