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Popular trainer Bjorn Baker is keen to be part of the 2022 TAB Everest with 3YO Overpass and under-rated mare Belluci Babe.
Expressway Stakes winner Overpass will likely take the traditional path toward the A$15m TAB Everest, after her return, by running in races like the Gr.2 Shorts and Gr.2 Premiere Stakes in the month prior to the sprint classic spectacle.
“He’s just started back in pre-training and we’re going to have a red hot crack,’’ Baker said.
“He was a very good fifth in the TJ and he was unlucky in the Galaxy, he didn’t get clear air and would have gone close in that.
“Overpass is just reaching his pinnacle, he’s a four-year-old next season and is only going to get better.”
Last spring Overpass signalled he was a horse on the rise with a cheeky sixth in the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes behind Home Affairs and confirmed that standing by downingForbidden Love and Anamoe in the Expressway at the end of January.
He hasn’t raced since a midfield finish in Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes and Baker said if he can find a surface better than heavy in the spring it will be his best chance to press for an Everest slot.
Baker plans to race Belluci Babe in the Gr.2 Missile Stakes won two years ago by Eduardo on his way to an Everest berth, in August.
“Belluci Babe was a very good fourth in both the Galaxy and the TJ Smith. I think she has come back bigger and better,’’ he said.
“The TJ Smith is the best form to go to the Everest and I have two horses that have run fourth and fifth as a bit of an afterthought.
“Things can change so you have to be open right to the end, if we are there and we are going well who knows.”
Four Everest slots have been locked away so far – Nature Strip (Chris Waller Racing), Masked Crusader (Whitby/Werrett), Eduardo (Yulong) and Mazu (The Star & Arrowfield). 2020 Everest winner Classique Legend’s owner Bon Ho has a slot while Godolphin and Coolmore would be expected to pick from their own stock so there are still several slots up for grabs.