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| Staff Writer |
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The four-time Group One winner, State of Rest hopes to secure another Group One win in the Prix Jacques le Marois in France next week. Part-owner Henry Field thinks this could be the globetrotting stallion’s biggest test.
With connections of many of Europe’s premier milers keen to avoid undefeated superstar Baaeed, who took his record to nine wins in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood recently, next Sunday’s Deauville showpiece shapes as one of the races of the season with fellow Royal Ascot winners Coroebus and Inspiral, as well as emerging stars Homeless Songs, Maljoom and Erevann, potentially on a collision course.
Field said trainer Joseph O’Brien had been thrilled with the Cox Plate winner’s progress following his Prince of Wales' Stakes victory at Royal Ascot and had even considered a clash with Baaeed.
The Newgate Farm boss, who teamed up with China Horse Club and other partners to acquire a significant stake in State of Rest after last year’s spring carnival, said the plan was still to return to Melbourne later in the year.
Avoiding Baaeed was probably a smart thing but what I will say is that it’s meant the Prix Jacques le Marois has turned into a pretty hot Gr.1 you’ve got the second, third, fourth and fifth best milers in Europe because they’ve all tried to avoid Baaeed.
At this stage, that will be his final start in Europe before he comes back down for the Cox Plate in September.
Field will be in France to watch the son of Starspangledbanner, as well as attend the popular Arqana August Yearling Sale in Deauville.