STATE OF REST WINS THE COX PLATE

State of Rest wins the Cox Plate for Joseph O'Brien

The race was already showing signs that anything could happen when long time race favourite, Zaaki was withdrawn from the race at $2.80 having shown an elevated temperature before the race.

Leaving just a field of 8 to go round the Moonee Valley track the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Capitvant used the inside barrier to lead the field off with Kiwi raider Callsign Mav following just off the speed alongside Dalasan.

Positions in the race remained relatively unchanged until the runners turned the final bend where gaps opened in the small field and State Of Rest burst through a gap to take up the running.

At the same time, Godolphin trained Anamoe followed the O’brien trained runner through the gap while Verry Elleegant had to hold a sustained run wide out in order to get clear running in the straight.

With such a short straight at the Valley State of Rest appeared to kick clear with Anamoe and the pair set down to battle it out. State of Rest would be the victor when getting the head bob on the line for jockey John Allen. 

After passing the post Anamoe’s jockey Craig Williams lodged a protest claiming State Of Rest had bumped his ride in the straight and therefore cost him the race. 

Whilst there was contact in the straight the impact was minimal and the stewards threw out the protest and upheld the result which saw the Cox Plate heading back to Ireland. 

More News