SYDNEY TRAINER BJORN BAKER PULLS OFF A TRAINING MASTERCLASS WITH OVERPASS IN THE $4M THE QUOKKA
By CHRIS VERNUCCIO
RACENET
7:38PM APRIL 15, 2023
Star NSW sprinter Overpass broke the hearts of locals when narrowly outshining West Australian filly Amelia’s Jewel in the $4m The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
In a thrilling finish to the inaugural running of the event, Overpass held out the fast-finishing Amelia’s Jewel before a parochial 7000-strong crowd, the majority cheering on the gifted local in the drive to the line.
For trainer Bjorn Baker it was his second major win this month following Arapaho’s Group 1 Sydney Cup triumph on Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick.
Baker said there were mixed emotions defeating WA trainer Simon Miller who had stabled his The Quokka pair Overpass and Shades Of Rose since their arrival in the state.
“It’s a big win, you need to go out and win these races, it’s very competitive,” Bjorn said.
“Simon Miller, how good is she (Amelia’s Jewel), the filly is outstanding. He’s been so accommodating to us. You always have mixed emotions.
“I thought she got us, actually, without knowing the track, you can’t get carried away until the number goes up.
“He (Overpass) kept kicking, that’s what he can do. When he’s good he keeps going, going, going and he was able to fend them off.
“You have mixed emotions with how accommodating Simon has been. Can’t thank him enough.”
Jockey Josh Parr said he could hear Amelia’s Jewel coming and thought she had snatched victory after hearing the crowd.
“I could hear her all right – I got to the pull up and I honestly thought I lost the race,” Parr said.
“I was pulling up and saying some unsavory things … and I heard the crowd yell and I thought that’s a home-crowd yell for sure.”
Overpass was having his first start as a gelding in The Quokka, and justified Baker’s decision to bypass the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes two weeks ago because of a heavy track.
It was also a year to the day Parr last rode Overpass in the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes.
Parr said Overpass was “immaculately” prepared for the race.
