The Bjorn Baker trained Overpass put up a great performance overnight at Royal Ascot to run a close third in the Group I King Charles II Stakes (5f) with victory in the race going to the Coolmore entry Mission Central.
A three year-old gelding by No Nay Never, Mission Central had six runs at two that included a G3 win in Ireland at 6f, but since returning at three has been kept to the 5f trip with two wins at Naas in Listed races in April and May paving the way for a crack at the big stage.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Mission Central settled back in the field and came with a withering finishing to get up in the last stride over French raider Rayevka with a gallant Overpass in third beaten three-quarters of a length.
“Ryan [Moore] gave Mission Central an incredible ride. He's a very fast horse who is unbeaten this year and has progressed with every run. They went hard, which suited him,” said Aidan O'Brien.
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier is at Royal Ascot and revealed Mission Central was in the mix for the Everest later this year.
Overpass was fourth in last year’s Everest and never runs a bad race with his trainer Bjorn Baker thrilled with his effort.
“Overpass ran super, he did us proud. He's not quite a champion in terms of Australia but he's our champion and he delivered for us again. He didn't really nail the gate like we thought he would but I've been beaten by two of the best trainers in the world,” said Bjorn Baker.
Josh Parr lamented his slight hesitation when leaving the gates although he was always travelling with the leaders.
“He showed really good spirit to go through two leaders and he looked the winner at one point. He didn't get the best break away, he usually flies out of the barrier and we were dictated to by the leader. It could have well been the difference, but I'm very happy with his performance,” he said.
Overpass remains in the mix for the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) on Saturday which will feature Joliestar.
The winner Mission Central is the first foal of unraced Zoffany mare Thar She Blows, a sister to Group I winner Prosperous Voyage from the family of Group I winners Senure and Sydney Cup winner Circle of Fire.
He was purchased from the Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale for 625,000 guineas by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm and has the overall record of six wins from nine starts.
Mission Central is the 11th Group I winner for No Nay Never, who shuttled to Coolmore Australia for four seasons from 2016.
No Nay Never made it a winning stakes double on the day for Aidan O’Brien when the Coolmore homebred 2YO colt Great Barrier Reef won the Group II Coventry Stakes (5f) ridden by Wayne Lordan.
