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It’s been many moons since Canberra trainer Barbara Joseph has had a runner at the Darwin Carnival — but that changes Saturday when Overdane takes his place in the Toxfree Handicap (13000m) at Fannie Bay.

Now in partnership with her son Paul Jones, Joseph enjoyed big race success in the nineties at Darwin with firstly McJoey, who took out the 2001 Darwin Cup, and then Mukareena who saluted in the 2006 Palmerston Sprint.

Co-trainer Paul Jones says the former Hong Kong galloper Overdane performs best on dirt tracks and won six times in Hong Kong.

“If all goes well, Overdane is Darwin Cup headed.” Jones says.

“He’s been in Darwin two weeks under the care of Carl Spry, who for a couple of years was our stable rider in Canberra before he moved back to Darwin where he is also able to train.

“Carl reports Overdane is working well and enjoying the Fannie Bay surface and the sun on his back.”

Overdane has recorded one win for Joseph-Jones lugging 64.5kg to win a BM 70 at Canberra over the mile.

Overdane — who raced in Hong Kong as Verdane — is a UK-bred son of Halling and was formerly trained by John Moore - winning HK $3.7M.

His last HK win was on the Sha Tin All Weather in July last 2015.

He’s owned by Anthony Cheung Hin-shun who in 2011 — along with business partner David Boehm — brought a majority share in Bob and Wendy Lapointe’s Muskoka Farm thoroughbred property on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.

Wendy Lapointe recommended the Joseph-Jones stable to the owners when the decision was taken to relocate the gelding to Australia.

Jones says Overdane is a striking individual who will be looking to find his best at the carnival on what should be an agreeable surface.