Overpass Secures Everest Slot

Woodside Park Stud’s Vancouver will be represented in this year’s $15million Everest with confirmation the Bjorn Baker trained stallion Overpass has been selected to run for James Kennedy.

A brilliant winner of the Group II ATC Expressway Stakes (1200m) during the autumn and competitive in Group I sprints, Overpass looked good in his recent barrier trials and acquitted himself well when finishing second to Nature Strip in the $1million Group II ATC The Shorts (1100m).

On that occasion he was ahead of Everest runners Lost and Running, Eduardo, Mazu and Masked Crusader confirming his potential to make a mark in the world’s richest sprint.

"Overpass' trainer Bjorn Baker has done a great job preparing the horse and he, along with Darby Racing are very positive that the horse has matured and developed professionally from his last preparation,'' Kennedy told Racenet.

"His recent trials were very pleasing and displayed that the horse is ready to take the next step up, which he certainly did in The Shorts."

Overpass runs this Saturday in the Group II $1m ATC Premiere Stakes (1200m).

A $75,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Darby Racing / Will Johnson Bloodstock from the draft of Corumbene Stud, Overpass has won five of 16 starts earning over $1million in prizemoney.

There are now nine slots filled for The Everest including Nature Strip (slot holder Chris Waller Racing), Masked Crusader (Max Whitby, Neil Werrett and Col Madden), Eduardo (Yulong), Lost And Running (TAB), Mazu (Arrowfield and The Star) and Snapdancer (Inglis).

Still to make a selection are slot-holders Godolphin, James Harron and Bon Ho.