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By Ray Hickson

A fighting second behind the world’s best sprinter was enough for TAB Everest slot holder James Kennedy to give Bjorn Baker’s smart four-year-old Overpass his chance to turn the tables in the $15 million feature.

Everest slot holder James Kennedy.

It’s the second year Kennedy, the Executive Chairman of Australia’s leading luxury watch and jewellery retailer 'Kennedy', has been involved in Australia’s richest race having purchased Greg Ingham’s GPI slot.

“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,’’ Mr Kennedy said.

“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.”

Kennedy’s first foray into the TAB Everest saw him select Queensland star Rothfire last year but when that horse was injured he was represented by Embracer who ultimately finished eleventh.

The entire is Baker’s first runner in a TAB Everest and he said while Overpass, $15 with TAB, had humble beginnings he’s developed into a topline sprinter who deserves his shot at the best sprint race in the country.

Overpass won his first race at Orange back in April 2021, the first of three wins as a two-year-old and within a year he was a Group 2 winner of the Expressway Stakes beating multiple Group 1 winners Forbidden Love and Anamoe.

“The hardest thing with him was getting people to have belief in the horse,’’ Baker said.

“I still think he’s on the rise, he’s improved every preparation. Overpass has come back better than ever and his run in The Shorts suggests he will be very competitive in The Everest.

“I am delighted that Overpass has received a slot and I am confident he will be ready to run a career best on the day for James Kennedy and Darby Racing.’’

Baker said to take on everything that encompasses the TAB Everest with Darby is fitting given the support he’s received from the syndication group since he’s been based in Sydney.

“It’s the new generation, the atmosphere on the day is unbelievable and it’s amazing to be involved in a race like that,’’ he said.

“I’ve had great success with them - Harpo Marx, Samadoubt, Irithea, the list goes on. It’s great to deal with them, they leave my job to me and trust me implicitly and it works great.”

It won’t be Darby Racing’s first Everest, their star filly She Will Reign, trained by Gary Portelli, competed in the inaugural running.

“We really thought this bloke had ability. He’s been a slow maturing horse. No-one was really too keen about taking him which I was surprised about,’’ Scott Darby said.

Overpass runs second in the Shorts

“This is only this third preparation. In his first prep he got to Group 2 level and ran fourth, he won a Group 2 as a three-year-old.

“We really believe in this horse, it may be a step up this preparation but we’re rapt to be involved.”

Overpass completes his preparation for the Everest in Saturday's Group 2 $1m Bisley Workwear Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

There are now nine confirmed runners in the TAB Everest with just Godolphin, Bon Ho and James Harron Bloodstock to announce their representatives.

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