Outstanding sprinter Overpass (Vancouver) took his career earnings to almost $9m with a dominant front-running display in the $2m G3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick today.
Few horses in world racing have produced a better return on investment for their connections than Overpass – Darby Racing and Will Johnson teamed up to buy him for just $75,000 at the 2020 Easter Yearling Sale out of the draft of his breeder Corumbene Stud.
Trained by Bjorn Baker, Overpass (pictured) is already a G1 winner of the Winterbottom Stakes and has now won nine career races.
Today’s victory was extra sweet for Baker, who had hoped his star sprinter would have gained a slot in the $20m The Everest.
“He might not quite be a champion but he’s our champion and he’s Darby’s champion,’’ Baker said.
“He’s been a remarkable horse for me, I’ve learned a lot from him, he’s made me a better trainer, he’s made me understand patience, he’s just a marvel.
“Obviously I was trying to get him into The Everest, I thought he could get in there but he’s got a great preparation ahead, we might look to Melbourne now and then Perth.
“He’s a superstar, he’s been very lightly raced and maybe next year he can do it in the big race here on the same day.
“The Darby Racing team and my team have done a remarkable job. Scott Darby and his team have been remarkable for me and my stable and this horse is just a star.’’
Later on the Randwick program consistent 4YO Ostraka (Pariah) made it four wins in succession with a tough on-speed victory in the $1m Silver Eagle.
The win secured the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained Ostraka his place in the $10m Golden Eagle at Rosehill in a fortnight.
Ostraka is a $150,000 Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Neasham, Mitchell Bloodstock, Brian McGuire and Matt Ennis and John McDonald’s Stallion Match, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, who bred him.
Today’s win took his earnings to $1m from five wins from 11 starts.
Archibald said the plan today was to go forward from the outside barrier and jockey Blake Shinn and Ostraka did the rest.
“We knew if we wanted to win the race we’d have to go forward so that’s what we did,’’ Archibald said.
“He relaxed beautifully in front, full credit to the horse, he’s going really well.
“He’s able to do it off speed and today and last start he did it on speed. He’s a really progressive horse, he keeps stepping up every time we put something in front of him.’’
While Overpass, Ostraka and Bella Nipotina’s win in the $20m The Everest capped a big day for Inglis graduates at Randwick, they also starred at Caulfield, winning three Stakes races.
Star mare Estriella (I Am Invincible) returned to the winners’ circle with a tough win in the G2 Millennium Sprint.
It was a fifth career win for the Ciaron Maher-trained Estriella, who will now target the G1 Champions Sprint at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Estriella is raced by Kevin and Vikki Payne, having been purchased by Maher on their behalf for $750,000 at the Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud who bred the filly alongside Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock.
“She did it the hard way today, she carried weight and had every chance to get run down but she’s just tough, they couldn’t get past her,’’ Payne said.
“She was coming off two runs in Weight For Age Group 1s so she deserved to have the weight but she’s just such a good mare, she fought so hard.
“She’ll go to Flemington now and she loves the straight so hopefully she can get her Group 1 in three weeks.’’
Also at Caulfield talented colt Lofty Arch (Snitzel) made it two wins from three starts with a dominant front-running win in the Listed Gothic Stakes.
The 3YO Lofty Arch led in an Inglis graduates quinella, defeating Lovelycut.
Trained by Alex Rae and bred by Woodpark Stud, Lofty Arch is a $200,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Paul Lofitis’ The Lofty Thoroughbreds Group out of the Twin Hills Stud draft.
Rae will see how the horse pulls up in the next 48 hours but is considering giving him his chance at G1 level in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington in a fortnight.
And Lady In Pink (Pariah) secured a valuable first black type victory when winning the G2 Tristarc Stakes.
The 4YO mare is trained by Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, who will target the mare at the G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington in a fortnight.
Malua Bloodstock’s Pink Race Series Horse Syndicate purchased Lady In Pink for $160,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, where she was offered by her breeder Arrowfield Stud.
She was purchased and signed up to the $1m Inglis Pink Bonus Series, the most lucrative female ownership scheme in the world.
