Irish horse State Of Rest has won a dramatic Cox Plate ahead of Anamoe at Moonee Valley, after a protest was dismissed by stewards.
The four-year-old — with jockey John Allen on board — was first past the post, finishing narrowly ahead of the Craig Williams-ridden Anamoe in Australasia's premier weight-for-age contest.
However, a protest was lodged almost immediately with stewards, after Williams claimed there had been interference from Allen in the late stages of the $5 million race.
A lengthy deliberation last more than 20 minutes followed, with stewards ultimately dismissing the protest.
In a race that changed complexion on the home turn, State Of Rest charged to the lead only for Anamoe to trail through underneath.
State Of Rest shifted his ground toward the rail, hampering Anamoe but stewards found the interference was not enough to change the result.
The winning margin in favour of State Of Rest was a long head.
Allen said he was relieved with the stewards' decision.
"There was definitely a few anxious moments in there, but I think the correct decision was made," he told Channel Seven.
Allen produced one of the great Cox Plate rides and it did not deserve to be denied with an overturned result.
Once a struggling jockey in Ireland, Allen has found his niche in Australian racing and he delivered with a daring piece of horsemanship to secure his place in the Cox Plate history books.
Allen navigated an inside path and when a run appeared, State Of Rest responded to hit the front.
But Williams and Anamoe were hot on his tail and they settled down for one of the more memorable Cox Plate finishes that came with an obvious twist.
"When the gap appeared I had to ask him to improve quickly before it closed and we might have got there a little too soon, but to his credit when [Anamoe] got to me, he really fought," Allen said.
State of Rest's victory continued young Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien's love affair with Australian racing.
He joins his father Aidan O'Brien as a Cox Plate-winning trainer, while the 29-year-old has also guided two Melbourne Cup winners.
Verry Elleegant took the minor placing in a race robbed of a major drawcard when early favourite Zaaki was scratched because of an elevated temperature.
Trainer Annabel Neasham made the decision to scratch the UK import moments before Saturday's deadline.
Zaaki had surged to the top of Cox Plate betting after a string of wins during Queensland's Winter Carnival.
ABC/AAP
