2021 Cox Plate Results: Irish Raider State Of Rest Holds Off Anamoe, Survives Protest

October 23, 2021

2021 Cox Plate Results: Irish Raider State Of Rest Holds Off Anamoe, Survives Protest

The 101st edition of the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) was a thriller, John Allen giving the Irish raider State Of Rest a brilliant ride to drive through and deny three-year-old Anamoe victory before surviving one of the tensest race protests in history, with Australian Racehorse of the Year Verry Elleegant in third.

State Of Rest (Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos) | Races.com.au

Irish raider State Of Rest survived a protest to win the 2021 Ladbrokes Cox Plate. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

“Thank god we got to win,” Allen told Racing.com after the official protest decision was confirmed.

“Such a great job by Mark and the team and wonderful to get the win.

“Unbelievable really, to win on an Irish horse makes it even more special.”

In a dramatic lead-up to the weight-for-age championship, markets were thrown wide open on race morning with the shock scratching of the early favourite Zaaki due to an elevated temperature.

He was the second horse scratched from this year’s Cox Plate field after French import Gold Trip was withdrawn the day prior from the Maher/Eustace stable on vet’s advice.

That followed on from the devastating loss of last year’s Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet who sadly passed away last Saturday after breaking down during trackwork.

The drama continued right past the winning post with jockey Craig Williams aboard the gallant runner-up Anamoe from the Godolphin stable lodging a protest against Allen for interference the closing stages.

The James Cummings-trained Anamoe received a budge from State Of Head, prepared by dual Melbourne Cup winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, who shifted in about two horse widths inside the final furlong.

With the winning margin just a short-head, Williams opted to lodge the protest attempting to talk his way into a Cox Plate victory and the jockeys went straight to the stewards’ room.

“Craig’s always a good talker,” Allen said coming out of the stewards’ room with a smile.

“I think the right decision was met.”

It took the stewards some 20 minutes to come to their decision, eventually dismissing the protest and confirming State Of Rest as the Cox Plate winner in 2021.

There was no question about third place in the Cox Plate trifecta, Chris Waller’s always-honest nine-time Group 1 winning Zed mare Verry Elleegant coming from last to finish in the money.

She was 12th in the 2019 Cox Plate and had not raced at Moonee Valley since, but was brave as always making up late ground without ever looking a winning hope.

“It’s unbelievable. Today is nothing but a true reflection in what it took to get his horse here today,” O’Brien’s stable representative Mark Power told Racing.com before the Cox Plate result was put under question with the protest.

“You won’t get stronger than the last 200 from Johnny there.

“It’s just a credit to the whole team at home, it’s just amazing.

“From the moment he got off the plane and touched down in Werribee his work had been really good.

“He’s proved it here today.”

Up until the reason for the protest, Allen had ridden State Of Rest to perfection settling the last start Saratoga Derby Invitational winner in sixth.

It was Peter & Paul Snowden’s Caulfield Guineas runner-up Captivant leading the Cox Plate field after taking advantage of the inside draw looking to go all-the-way with the lightweight.

Two of the three horses in the eventual trifecta, Anamoe and Verry Elleegant meanwhile were settled back second and third last.

The field bunched at the 500m with Verry Elleegant starting her move from the back and they all came down the middle of the track staying off the rails on a deteriorating track.

At the 300m, Allen got the split on State Of Rest with the Irish galloper sprinting clear and Williams following him through on Street Boss colt Anamoe donning the Royal Blue.

The young horse was wearing down the international in an exciting and eventually controversial finish, with State Of Rest just holding on to finish first past the post as the rain started to belt down.

“The race panned out pretty well,” winning hoop Allen said.

“When the gap appeared I had to ask him to improve quickly before it closed.

“He really fought and he was good and solid to the line.

“It was a ding dong battle, luckily we got our head down on the line.”

Red Anchor (1984) was the last three-year-old to complete the Caulfield Guineas – Cox Plate double and Anamoe was so brave, nearly breaking the drought.

State Of Rest was the first northern hemisphere trained three-year-old to win since Adelaide (2014) prepared by O’Brien’s father Aidan.

“It’s been on Joe’s agenda for such a long time, ever since he seen Adelaide win,” Power said post-protest.

“Johnny Allen was absolutely super on him. It’s just amazing to win this Cox Plate.

“I’m just thrilled and over the moon.

“Luckily we came out on the right side of it.”

2021 Cox Plate Results & Finishing Order

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price
1 8 STATE OF REST (IRE) Joseph O’Brien John Allen 6 56.5kg $7.50
2 9 ANAMOE James Cummings Craig Williams 0.1L 8 49.5kg $3.60EF
3 6 VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) Chris Waller Damian Lane 1.1L 7 57kg $3.60EF
4 5 MO’UNGA (NZ) Annabel Neasham Hugh Bowman 4.1L 3 57.5kg $5.50
5 7 PROBABEEL (NZ) Jamie Richards Brett Prebble 7.1L 5 57kg $12
6 2 DALASAN Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas Daniel Moor 8.35L 2 59kg $21
7 4 CALLSIGN MAV (NZ) John Bary Luke Nolen 13.85L 4 59kg $31
8 10 CAPTIVANT Peter & Paul Snowden Dean Yendall 15.1L 1 49.5kg $13
1 ZAAKI (GB) Annabel Neasham James McDonald 0
3 GOLD TRIP (FR) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Damien Oliver 0

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Z...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pr...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

Pride Of Jenni was enormous running her rivals ragged with a blistering...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results:...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Dublin Down is into Saturday week’s 2024 Golden Slipper field after a gutsy...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results:...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

Celestial Legend put the writing on the wall for a huge year ahead with the...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Top honours in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes results at Royal Randwick went to...

Race Results

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Zougotcha Dives Late to Salute

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Race Previews

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

Fields & Form

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

2024 Randwick Guineas Field & Odds Update: Militarize Set to Strike Second-Up