Trainer Bjorn Baker’s exceptional 2023 can culminate with a win in Saturday’s $1.5 million Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot, Australia, with quality five-year-old OVERPASS.
OVERPASS in no stranger to big-race success in Perth after taking out the inaugural running of $4 million The Quokka at Ascot last year. Leading from start to finish on that occasion, OVERPASS looks set to have a similar run in transit in the Winterbottom despite drawing wide for jockey Josh Parr. He should begin fast and find the front easy enough.
OVERPASS raced sparingly during the Spring Carnival, stepping out just twice with a first-up second in the Group 2 The Shorts before a fading 10th, beaten close to four lengths, in The Everest after vying to make all. Victorian galloper, TRIPLE MISSILE, is on the second line of betting with Damian Oliver in the saddle from barrier 1. On paper, the six-year-old’s form is inferior to that of OVERPASS’, but he warrants plenty of respect with conditions in his favour.
Elsewhere on the card at Ascot, quality four-year-old mare DUCHESS OF GOSSIP should bounce back to her winning ways in the Listed $125,000 Jungle Dawn Classic over 1400m.
DUCHESS OF GOSSIP (William Pike) Won R7 Glenroy Chaff Handicap on Saturday 12 August at Belmont Park Racecourse.
📸 @WesternRacepix pic.twitter.com/kPATwXojnu— Perth Racing (@PerthRacing) August 12, 2023
A five-time winner from nine, DUCHESS OF GOSSIP returned from a three-month spell two weeks ago, chasing her fourth straight win after kicking off a three-peat in July. Despite not keeping the winning ball rolling, there was still a lot to like about her third-place finish, as she was held up at the turn until passing the 100m in the Listed Jungle Mist over 1200m.
Fitter now second-up while rising to 1400m both are key factors to DUCHESS OF GOSSIP’S winning chances this week. With a smooth run from barrier 2 under William Pike, the mare should prove too good late.
