"You get confidence from the fact Australian sprinters have done very well at Royal Ascot over the years,'' Baker told Racing And Sports.

"This is an international meeting where the Australian sprinters traditionally are hard to beat.

"When you are travelling with a horse to the other side of the world, knowing it has been done before and on numerous occasions give us a bit more confidence.''

OVERPASS winning the TOYOTA FORKLIFTS SYDNEY STAKES at Randwick in Australia.

OVERPASS winning the TOYOTA FORKLIFTS SYDNEY STAKES at Randwick in Australia. Picture: Steve Hart

Since Paul Perry's Choisir scored a famous 2003 Royal Ascot double in the King's Stand (now King Charles III) Stakes and Golden Jubilee (now Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee) Stakes, Australian sprinters have been a force to be reckoned with at Royal Ascot.

Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007), Scenic Blast (2009), Nature Strip (2022) and Asfoora (2024) have all won the 1000m sprint on the first day of the prestigious Royal Ascot carnival.

But since Choisir's Jubilee Stakes win on the final day of Royal Ascot, only the legendary Black Caviar (1200m) has won the 1200m race although former Australian sprinters Starspangledbanner (2010) and Merchant Navy (2018) also won the race after being transferred to Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien.

However, the respected reputation of Australian sprinters precedes Overpass, Henry Dwyer's Asfoora and the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar going into Royal Ascot next week.

Overpass, who races for leading syndicator Scott Darby of Darby Racing, is the early $3.50 favourite to win the King Charles with Asfoora at $11.

Joliestar is rated a $5 chance for the day one race but is expected to be reserved for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on June 20 where she is the dominant $2.50 favourite.

Overpass, a rising eight-year-old gelding, has had 38 starts for 10 wins including two Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes and two The Quokkas, earning more than $12.5 million prizemoney.

Although winless in four starts during the 2025-26 season, Overpass has gone to England in very good form including a close fourth to Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising in the Group 1i The Everest and a last start fourth to Joliestar in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes.

Baker's previous experience on racing's world stage ended in disappointment when Music Magnate finished down the track in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in the United Arab Emirates eight years ago but the trainer is expecting Overpass to be very competitive at Royal Ascot.

OVERPASS winning the TOYOTA FORKLIFTS SYDNEY STAKES

OVERPASS winning the TOYOTA FORKLIFTS SYDNEY STAKES Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

"If you look at his form, Overpass has been super consistent for a long time now,'' Baker said.

"One thing you want when you travel with a horse is that they can generally run up to their best and he has done that right through his career.

"I'm hoping he can replicate what he has done back home and if that is the case, he should run very well.

"He's tough and very seasoned, and he's a good traveller. He's done well since arriving in England so we are looking forward to Royal Ascot.''

Baker confirmed Overpass will get a look at the Royal Ascot 1000m straight course on Friday when he has a track gallop there under regular race jockey Josh Parr.

Trainer : BJORN BAKER after, IOWNA MERC winning the HYLAND RACE COLOURS AJAX STAKES

Trainer : BJORN BAKER after, IOWNA MERC winning the HYLAND RACE COLOURS AJAX STAKES Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

Joliestar will also get the chance to work on the Royal Ascot course at the Friday trackwork session.

Waller did something similar with Nature Strip ahead of his famous King's Stand Stakes win at Royal Ascot four years ago.

Asfoora is about to contest her third Royal Ascot carnival, having won the King Charles III Stakes two years ago, and Dwyer said his mare will continue her preparation at their Newmarket base on Friday.

Aritcle: Ray Thomas, International Editor for Racing and Sports