The 2024 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in Perth delivered one of the most thrilling spectacles of the Australian racing calendar. Overpass, a sprinter with a growing reputation, stole the show with a dominant victory in the Group 1 feature.
This race, known for attracting elite sprinters from across the nation, solidified Overpass’s place among Australia’s sprinting elite and provided a fitting climax to Western Australia’s Summer Racing Carnival.
Overpass, trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by champion jockey Josh Parr, came into the Winterbottom with strong form and high expectations. The gelding had shown flashes of brilliance in past campaigns, with a string of competitive performances in high-profile races like The Everest and the TJ Smith Stakes. However, a Group 1 victory had eluded him—until now.
Jumping from barrier five, Overpass broke sharply and immediately positioned himself just off the pace. The early tempo, set by local speedster My Bella Mae, was electric, with the field stringing out as they thundered down the Ascot straight for the first time.
Overpass, with Parr expertly steering, stalked the leaders with a calm assurance that hinted at something special to come.
As they rounded the turn, Parr unleashed Overpass, who surged forward with devastating acceleration. In a matter of strides, he swept past the leaders and powered away from the field. The final 200 meters were a mere formality as Overpass extended his margin, crossing the line two lengths clear of a game Oscar’s Fortune, with Triple Missile finishing strongly for third.
The Winterbottom Stakes, held over 1200 meters, is one of Perth’s most prestigious races. Its $1.5 million prize pool and Group 1 status make it a magnet for top sprinters from both the eastern states and local stables.
Past winners include legends like Takeover Target, Barakey, and Buffering, who used their victories as launching pads for international campaigns or further Group 1 glory.
For Overpass, his Winterbottom triumph represents the culmination of months of meticulous preparation. Trainer Bjorn Baker had long identified this race as a prime target, believing the conditions and timing suited his gelding perfectly. “We’ve always known he had the ability,”
Baker said post-race. “It’s just about putting him in the right races at the right time, and today he delivered.”
Overpass’s road to Group 1 success has been anything but straightforward. A son of Vancouver, he burst onto the scene as a three-year-old with a win in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes, signaling his potential as a top-class sprinter. However, his subsequent campaigns were marked by near-misses and tough-luck stories.
This year, however, everything seemed to click. Following a strong showing in The Everest, where he finished a commendable fifth, Overpass targeted the Winterbottom with renewed vigor. A sharp barrier trial win at Warwick Farm confirmed his fitness, and he arrived in Perth as one of the leading contenders.
Jockey Josh Parr, who has been aboard for many of Overpass’s biggest moments, praised the gelding’s professionalism. “He’s a dream to ride,” Parr said. “He settles beautifully, responds when you ask him, and has an incredible engine. Today, he just felt like a winner from the moment we jumped.”
The 2024 Winterbottom Stakes will be remembered not only for Overpass’s brilliance but also for the quality of the field and the drama that unfolded. Local hopes were high for My Bella Mae, who had shown blistering speed in her lead-up runs, and Oscar’s Fortune, a three-year-old sensation looking to test himself against older rivals.
As the gates flew open, the expected fireworks ensued. My Bella Mae set a scorching early pace, with Oscar’s Fortune and Overpass in hot pursuit. The field quickly split into two groups, with backmarkers like Triple Missile and Red Can Man biding their time.
By the 600-meter mark, it was clear the race was shaping into a battle of stamina and tactics. As the leaders began to tire, Parr made his move, guiding Overpass into open air. His decisive burst of speed left the rest of the field scrambling to catch up.
The final 100 meters saw Overpass in a class of his own, and as he crossed the finish line, the roar of the Ascot crowd signaled the arrival of a new sprinting star.
In the immediate aftermath of the race, connections were jubilant. For Bjorn Baker, this victory was particularly sweet, marking his first Winterbottom Stakes win and reaffirming his place among Australia’s top trainers. “Winning a Group 1 anywhere is special, but to do it here in Perth, on a day like this, is just incredible,” Baker said.
For Overpass, the future looks incredibly bright. His connections have hinted at ambitious plans for the autumn, including potential tilts at the Lightning Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap. Some even believe he could travel overseas, with races like the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot or the Hong Kong Sprint on the radar.
Jockey Josh Parr also reflected on the significance of the win. “These are the moments we live for as jockeys,” he said. “To ride a horse like Overpass, in a race like the Winterbottom, and to come out on top—it’s a feeling like no other.”
Overpass’s victory is also a boon for Western Australian racing. The Winterbottom Stakes has long been the crown jewel of the Perth Summer Racing Carnival, and having a horse of his caliber take out the race only enhances its prestige.
The race day itself drew a record crowd to Ascot, with fans flocking to see some of the nation’s best horses in action. The win ensures that the Winterbottom Stakes will continue to attract top-tier talent, elevating the profile of racing in the west and providing a showcase for the vibrant local racing scene.
Overpass’s 2024 Winterbottom Stakes win is a testament to the power of perseverance, preparation, and talent. In a race brimming with quality and excitement, he stood head and shoulders above the competition, delivering a performance that will live long in the memory of racing fans.
For Bjorn Baker, Josh Parr, and the ownership team, the victory is a richly deserved reward for their faith in this exceptional gelding. For the wider racing community, it’s a reminder of why we love the sport—moments of brilliance that captivate and inspire.
As Overpass continues his journey, racing fans will no doubt follow his every stride, eager to see where his talent takes him next. One thing is certain: the Winterbottom Stakes was just the beginning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ui4W3O6Ua8&t=10s
This colt is by the Group 1 producing sire Star Turn and out of the Fastnet Rock mare Bleue Pepite who has already produced top quality racehorses including the $400k earner and 6 time winner Ruban Bleu as well as 5 time winner La Defense.
Bleue Pepite is a half sister to the Group 3 winning mare Think Bleue.
This Colt is extremely well balanced and a showed a fantastic willing workmanlike attitude. He was well put together with plenty of scope.
He will be trained by leading Queensland trainer Stuart Kendrick out of his state of the art Sunshine Coast facilities. He is eligible for the Magic Millions race series as well as both the lucrative BOBS and QTIS bonus schemes.
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