State of Rest secured a surprise win in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, and showed enough to repel the advances of pre-race favourites Bay Bridge and Japanese star Shahryar.
Shane Crosse rode the winner to perfection, driving him up the rail in the run-in and allowing him to get into a battle with the pre-race favourite. Although he wasn’t under too much pressure, he has shown in the past he loves a battle and once again came out on top.
Ten years ago he won this race as a jockey, now Joseph O’Brien has his first Royal Ascot win as a trainer. Ryan Moore on Bay Bridge looked strong the entire way around but just could not get past in this £1 million race.
Sir Michael Stoute is made to wait for another big winner, but the Japanese contingent will be left the most disappointed. Shahryar, the Japanese Derby winner was not in contention in the final furlong as Christian Demuro struggled on board the four-year-old. Having taken
both the Saudi International meetings and Meydan’s World Cup night by storm, he finished outside the top three at Royal Ascot.
Frankie Dettori was unlucky on board Lord North as he had an issue with his blindfold in the stalls, which delayed him at the start and even though he caught back up with the pack, he was never in the race as he faded away late on.
Kevin Blake, who is winning trainer Joseph O'Brien's race planner told Sky Sports Racing:“He is an absolute beast this horse. And what a world-class ride by Shane Crosse.
“This is an iron horse. You could drive a bus over this fella and the next day he’d march out of stable and ask where is that bus, I want a rematch.”
*18+, terms and conditions apply, odds subject to change.
