Bjorn Baker has been enjoying every bit of the Royal Ascot experience, from garden parties to trips to buy a top hat.
However, now things get real as his highly rated sprinter Overpass looks to make history in Tuesday's five-furlong King Charles III Stakes.
Australia has sent 48 runners to Royal Ascot since Paul Perry's Choisir famously won twice in five days in 2003, becoming a meeting legend and earning a bar named in his honour in Ascot's grandstand.
The King Charles III Stakes has since become an Australian stronghold, with Takeover Target, Scenic Blast, Nature Strip and, most recently, Asfoora among the winners in the last two decades.
Indeed, six of Australia's eight Royal Ascot winners have come in the opening day's sprint showpiece, while Black Caviar famously won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes 14 years ago.
Overpass is already an Ascot specialist — albeit at Ascot in Perth, where he has won Western Australia's premier Group 1 sprint on two occasions.
The son of Vancouver faces a deep international field, but arrives with proven Group 1 form and a reputation as one of Australia's toughest and most consistent sprinters.
For Baker, the trip carries significance beyond the horse itself.
The charismatic Kiwi trainer, never knowingly undersold, is dreaming big after a 10,000-mile journey.
"I lived in London and Dublin in my early 20s and was working as a pharmacist. I followed the sport, but racing ultimately won, and now I'm here training a favourite at Royal Ascot," he said.
"This has been 20 years in the making, so win, lose or draw, we'll be enjoying it. It's an entertainment game. You won't win everything, but you can always dream and have fun.
"It's going to be a great thrill and I think I've got the horse to be competitive as well.
"Overpass has been a remarkable horse. He has been sound and healthy, and such a stable stalwart for so long. His form has definitely been very consistent at that very high level.
"I think he's travelled over as well as we could have hoped. Conditions-wise, he's great, and it hasn't knocked him about too much."
A beautiful tribute pic.twitter.com/nkPXw2fRjz
— Bjorn Baker Racing (@BBakerRacing) June 14, 2026
Baker's charge enjoyed a racecourse gallop with regular jockey Joshua Parr last week, with the trainer pleased by how he handled the undulations of the famous track.
Alongside him was Chris Waller's Joliestar, an entry in Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, a race Baker may yet target as well should Overpass come through Tuesday's examination with flying colours.
Dwyer's Asfoora is back for a third crack after winning in 2024 and finishing fifth last year. The mare is almost a local these days, spending the northern hemisphere spring in Newmarket at the base of trainer Lemos de Souza.
"She's progressing well," Dwyer said. "Although a few of her runs this year haven't quite reflected her ability, she's taken good improvement from them and is coming into the race in strong shape. Tuesday's track should suit her perfectly, which will be a significant advantage."
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