A text-book front-running ride by Tim Clark saw three-year-old Overpass cause an upset in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
After three of the first six winners at Rosehill led throughout, Clark followed suit and pushed the Bjorn Baker-trained colt out of the barriers to take up the lead.
Last seen when sixth in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in October, Overpass had two trials in preparation for his first up assignment, which had him rock-hard fit for the 1200m race.
“It was a great ride by Tim; I gave him a bit of an open canvas,” Baker said.
“He dominated and dictated.
“You only have to look at the Roman Consul and Coolmore to know he is a top, top class horse.
No plans have been set in stone four the classy colt yet, with Baker suggesting he could measure up in The Everest or the Golden Eagle next season.
“We will just see what happens,” the winning trainer said.
“He’s a fast horse, he has always shown speed.
“I will nominate him for the Newmarket on Monday – we have some unfinished business there.
“We will give it a bit of thought; there is plenty to think about.
“There is The Everest, Golden Eagle, there are so many options.
“He’s a superstar colt.”
Jumping from the outside alley, Clark said the colt deserved his ounce of luck.
“Well he just kept drawing s… gates really,” Clark said.
“We were positive today with the rail out.
“He’d had the two trials to be well and truly wound up and we used that to our advantage today.”
Race favourite Anamoe got back to last from barrier three and was unable to make up enough ground out wide, finishing off well into third in his first run since the Cox Plate.
After being unlucky in the run, Forbidden Love got out late to finish second along the rail, with the Richard & Michael Freedman-trained mare looking on track for the Sydney Autumn Carnival.