Grand sprinter Overpass (Vancouver) made it back-to-back wins in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes with a dominant performance at Ascot tonight.
The Bjorn Baker-trained 6YO has become one of Australia’s best sprinters but understandably holds the mantle of being the Western Wonder, with tonight’s victory his fourth from four starts in Perth.
His other wins came in last year’s Winterbottom Stakes, while he has also won the past two editions of the $5m The Quokka, all run at Ascot.
Tonight’s win – which was as tenacious a victory as he has ever achieved given he jumped from the outside barrier of gate 16 and was always wide in running - took Overpass’ career earnings to $9.7m.
It’s been a spectacular journey for connections, after Overpass was purchased for just $75,000 by Darby Racing and Will Johnson Bloodstock at the 2020 Easter Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder Corumbene Stud.
Overpass (pictured) is one of 102 individual G1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018 and one of 45 that could have been bought for $100,000 or less in that period.
Scott Darby was in awe of Overpass’ tenacity and will to win following his Winterbottom victory.
“He’s just so tough. I thought we were in strife when he was so wide for so long but he was toying with them, he just kept going,’’ Darby said.
“Bjorn has said it well before, he might not be a champion to the industry, yet, but he’s certainly our champion, he’s won nearly $10m for a $75,000 Easter buy and I think there’s plenty of racing left in him yet. Who knows where the ceiling is.
“He’s certainly got a love affair with Perth, they might have to build a statue of him over there!’’
Trainer Bjorn Baker added: “He was just super, super brave. A massive shout out to Darby Racing, they’re my biggest supporter.
“This is one of the special days in racing and he’s just a very special horse. I don’t know if we can call him a champion yet but he’s getting very close.
“He’s been super consistent, he’s won almost $10m now, it’s all very special. It’s amazing to be here.’’
Meanwhile a pair of Inglis Digital graduates earned black type success for their connections today on an afternoon where Inglis graduates won Stakes races in four States.
Progressive 3YO Spicy Martini (Justify) made it two wins from as many starts with an emphatic performance to win the Listed Mode Stakes at Doomben for trainers Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean.
Edmonds Racing purchased Spicy Martini as a yearling for just $8000 from her breeder Coolmore in last year’s March (Early) Online Sale.
Her value as a breeding prospect is now considerably greater than her purchase price from just two career outings.
“She’s won a Stakes race at start number two, it’s job done in terms of getting that black type so early in her career,’’ Edmonds said.
“We wanted a Justify and we knew we couldn’t afford one at the main sales so we were keeping an eye on Inglis Digital and saw her.
“We also had the half sister at home and liked her so we were keen to get this girl too and she’s done everything right up to this point.’’
Coolmore Australia Stud Manager Justin Carey added: “We’re delighted for Toby to get a filly like this from the family as he bought a half sister to Spicy Martini a few years ago.
“This filly showcases the opportunity the Coolmore drafts can represent as she was bought relatively inexpensively. There is a horse for everyone on Inglis Digital!’’
At Caulfield today Welwal (Shalaa) was having his first start for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stables and proved too strong in the G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes.
Price/Kent Racing purchased Welwal with Alf Gauci in this year’s May (Late) Online Sale for $330,000.
Today’s was Welwal’s first Group win in Australia, making him a dual hemisphere Group winner following success at G3 level in France earlier in his career.
“We bought him online on Inglis Digital, it was great for Alf Gauci and his family to get the return so early,’’ Price said.
“We’re always on Inglis Digital every sale, there’s always gems there to buy, just like this bloke.
“We have very good form analysts and they were all over this horse on Inglis Digital. There was lots of data they liked about him so I leave them to it a bit and it’s just great that Alf was prepared to come in and support that.’’
Welwal defeated Arkansaw Kid in an Inglis graduates quinella.
Welwal’s victory capped off a big day for Price, who also won the $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus at Morphettville via Panigale (Harry Angel).
Price is the sole owner of the 3YO and hence took home $127,300 for the maiden victory at what was just Panigale’s second career start.
“This Xtra Bonus is amazing,’’ Price said.
“In fact the whole William Inglis Race Series is very beneficial to all because the spread of money is more across the board than just one lump sum on one day all the time.
“It’s been a brilliant idea and it’s a great incentive for anyone to buy a horse at an Inglis sale next year and beyond.’’
Price bought the Eales Racing-bred Panigale for $70,000 at last year’s Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Widden.
At Rosehill today Eagle Nest (Shalaa) picked up valuable black type with victory in the Listed Starlight takes.
The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Eagle Nest sold to Newgate Bloodstock for $300,000 at this year’s Chairman’s Sale, where she was offered by Arrowfield.
She was initially a $550,000 Easter Yearling Sale purchase for George Moore and IRON from the Segenhoe draft.
Eagle Nest becomes the third Stakes winner already out of this year’s Chairman’s Sale following the G1 success of Kimochi and G2 win of C’est Magique.
And grand performer Private Eye (Al Maher) returned to the winners’ circle with a dominant win in the G3 Festival Stakes at Rosehill.
Nick Dimitrakis purchased a 5% share in Private Eye in the 2022 Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale for $60,000.
Since then Private Eye has won $9.9m in earnings.
