Joseph O’Brien has single-handedly improved Irelands balance of payments, and another planeload of Australian dollars is headed back to the Emerald Isle after State Of Rest (IRE) won a drama-packed $5million Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) on Saturday.
With John Allen in the saddle, State Of Rest (IRE) rolled in on the star 3yo Anamoe at the 100 metre mark and Craig Williams was quick to fire in a protest.
After what seemed an eternity, stewards deemed that they were not satisfied that the interference cost Anamoe the race.
With rain falling throughout the day on a deteriorating track, State Of Rest (IRE) and Anamoe singled out over the final 200m.
Anamoe did not appear happy in the going and struggled before Williams speared him back to mount his challenge between runners nearer the rail.
The winning margin was a short-head with reigning Horse Of The Year Verry Elleegant a length back in third as the remainder of the field struggled home in well-spaced margins.
He becomes only the second northern hemisphere-trained winner of the WFA Championship of Australia after Coolmore’s Adelaide struck for O’Brien’s father Aidan in 2014.
Stable representative Mark Power said it was a massive result for the young stable.
“It’s unbelievable. Today is nothing but a true reflection of what it took to get this horse here today,” Power said.
“Johnny Allen was super on him. You won’t get stronger inside the last 200m than Johnny there.
“And we’ve a fair man pre-training them for us in Joseph O’Brien as well. A credit to the whole team at home - it’s amazing.
“From the moment he got off the plane and touched down in Werribee his work had been really good.
“MJ (Doran) rides him every day at home, he can be a little bit of a handful sometimes so MJ is the right man for him.
“He was always delighted with him, we were reporting to Joseph that we were happy with him and he’s proven it here today.
“It’s not good for the heart. I’m absolutely trembling like a leaf.
“Johnny Allen was super, he’s strong as an ox. You couldn’t have a better man on your side.
“It’s just amazing to win this Cox Plate, it's been on Joseph’s agenda for a long time to win this race.”
John Allen said he was happy in the run.
“The race panned out pretty well. When the gap appeared I had to ask him to improve quick before it closed and we might have got there a little too soon,” Allen said.
“But to his credit when that horse got to me, he really fought and was solid to the line.
“Craig’s always a good talker, we all know that. I think there were too many Paddy’s in there for them to understand us. The way it was going, there were a few anxious moments, but I think the right decision was made.”
A son of Rosemont Stud’s Starspangledbanner, State Of Rest (IRE) has made just three starts in 2021.
Following a close-up third over a mile at the Curragh on June 26, State Of Rest travelled to the United States to capture the $1million Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 7.
Still a 3yo to northern hemisphere time, State Of Rest (IRE) advances his record to three wins, a second and three thirds from nine starts with earnings of $3,827,909.
A 45,000gns Tattersalls weanling, State Of Rest sold for 60,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Bred by Tinnakill Bloodstock, State Of Rest is a half-brother to stakes-placed Tranquil Lady (Australia) out of the unraced Quiet American mare Repose a sister to Listed winners Echo River (Irish River) and Prince Alzain (Street Sense). From the family of Bitooh and Musical Chimes, Repose is a granddaughter of Mr Prospector’s champion daughter. It’s In The Air.
State Of Rest (IRE) is one of three Group 1 winners by Starspangledbanner who shuttles from Coolmore, Ireland to Rosemont Stud, where his fee this season is $16,500.
