Joseph O’Brien has already gained the Melbourne Cup (G1) twice and appears to have a reside likelihood of successful one other of Australia’s most prestigious races as Saratoga grade 1 winner State of Rest takes aim at the Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1).
Bidding to become only the second northern hemisphere-trained winner of the Moonee Valley highlight after Adelaide struck in 2014, O’Brien has called on Australian-based Cork native Johnny Allen to partner the improving 3-year-old for his biggest test yet.
Allen, 37, spent roughly five years riding for O’Brien’s late grandfather Joe Crowley at the legendary Owning Hill base before going on to land 12 group 1s in Australia.
“State of Rest seems to have taken his journey and preparation well ahead of the race so we’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on,” said O’Brien.
State of Rest wins the Saratoga Derby Invitational at Saratoga Race Course
“He is drawn in stall eight and I do not suppose that can be too unhealthy for him. It will be nice if he may run properly and decide up among the prize-money.”
He added: “We clearly know Johnny properly and he gained a bunch 3 for us on Downdraft a few years in the past at Flemington. He is a prime rider so we’re delighted to have him.”
Prolific winner Zaaki tops the market for Annabel Neasham as he bids to overcome a 2-7 defeat at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
Neasham’s assistant Todd Pollard told Racing.com: “He seems to handle this track a lot better than Caulfield and many people say that too when you come from Sydney.
“He seems to be going a lot better than what he was going into the last start in terms of his final piece of work.”
Talented 3-year-old Anamoe will aim to provide Godolphin with a first win in the 10-furlong contest, also attempting to become the first 3-year-old in 37 years to follow up a Neds Caulfield Guineas (G1) triumph in the Cox Plate.
Trainer James Cummings said: “Now he’s had three very convincing runs as a spring 3-year-old, he looks ready to step up against the older horses in a high-pressure environment.
“We’ve got him very fit and very well prepared and in a position to do his absolute best.”
Chris Waller, who memorably sent out Winx to win the Cox Plate in four consecutive years, relies on admirable stalwart Verry Elleegant this time. The 7-year-old needs to bounce back from being turned over as 11-10 favorite in the Tab Turnbull Stakes (G1) by Caulfield Cup (G1) hero Incentivise last time.
“We’ve just found that she was a bit flat,” said Waller. “Soundness was good but her appetite was a bit down on what it should be. Since then everything is back to normal.”
Gold Trip , fourth to Sottsass in last year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) when trained by Fabrice Chappet, has been ruled of the race after failing a veterinary test.
