Crucial gear change likely for JJ Atkins hope

Trainer Bjorn Baker is ready to reach into the gear back to help talented juvenile Overpass find a couple of lengths in his grand final in Saturday’s Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

Baker has kept the blinkers up his sleeve and is set to produce them in the $1 million feature for two-year-olds in Queensland.

His classy son of Vancouver has remained in the Sunshine State in preparation for the final juvenile major of the season after finishing fourth in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes on May 29.

“He had an easy gallop on Saturday morning and we are happy with him,” Baker said.

“It was a good fourth last time and we are considering putting the blinkers on, probably leaning towards them at the moment.”

Overpass has rocketed through the grades this preparation, breaking his maiden at Orange before putting together wins at Warwick Farm and Gosford.

He made up some ground closest to the inside in the Sires’ Produce when finishing fourth, a touch over three lengths off the winner, the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Tiger Of Malay.

“In one way I thought he had a soft run last time and the other I think he is better out in the open so it is a catch 22,” Baker said.

“The Eagle Farm track can be hard to read sometimes so maybe it is a bit better out wider, we will see how it plays on the day though.”

All three horses that got the better of Overpass in the $1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes sit about the colt in betting.

Sires’ runner up Converge is a slight $3.50 favourite with TAB fixed odds from Port Louis ($4) and Tiger Of Malay ($5).

Overpass is the only other horse in single digits with the bookies at $9 and Josh Parr will continue his association with the colt.