State Of Rest won the top flight abroad twice last year, and Joseph O’Brien is confident he can raise the Group One flag for his team closer to home in 2022.
The Starspangledbanner side ran just three times last season – but made the most of their chances by winning the Saratoga Derby and Cox Plate in Australia in his last two games.
O’Brien hopes to see the four-year-old reappear in the coming weeks, likely in France, before his first successful bid in Irish Group One at the Tattersalls Gold Cup on May 22.
“State Of Rest is probably our top horse of the year, hopefully,” O’Brien said during a media visit to his County Kilkenny yard Wednesday.
“We’re looking at Prix Ganay or Mooresbridge as a starting point, with the Tattersalls Gold Cup being his first big target.”
Asked if he felt the State Of Rest could be underrated, he added: “I think that’s fair. The horse he beat in the Cox Plate (Anamoe) was won Group One with a length of six and a half weeks ago.
“He (State Of Rest) is ranked 120th and I think he will be competing in the major 10 races this year.
“If he accidentally wins or competes in those Group Os at the start of the season, you have Ascot (Prince of Wales’s Stakes), Sandown (Eclipse) and York (Juddmonte International).
“He also has US options and then Australia again because he was bought by an Australian company (Newgate Stud and partners) so he will probably go back to Australia again. if the season goes well.”
State Of Rest will lead what O’Brien believes his strongest team has ever entered the war.
Some of his big hopes in the three-year-old league are placed for impending action, including potential Derby contender Buckaroo, who is being prepared for the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
He will likely be joined at Leopardstown by both Seisai and Agartha, who are arranged to cross paths in the Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ 1,000 Guineas Trial.
Another pony identified by the coach as a potential traditional candidate is Hannibal Barca, who finished last season by finishing fourth in the Vertem Futurity Trophy for Brian Meehan and has since moved on to the field. .
O’Brien said: “He’ll probably go to Curragh for the Tetrarch Stakes and then we’ll see.
“That race has the same route and distance as the Irish Guineas, so that would give him a chance to be the Irish Guineas.”
Discussing some of his other three-year-olds, the coach continued: “Brasil Power will probably run in a handicap at Leopardstown over the weekend. It’s working like a good horse and can go forward. set.
“Velocidad won Second place last year. She was raised to stay but I’m not sure how far she will stay, so I’m joking with the idea of starting her at seven (furlongs) or Sprint.
“Tranquil Lady would probably take the Oaks Test – Salsabil Stake or Blue Wind, something like that and take it from there.
“Above The Curve is probably coming out next week and we think she’s a nice person – we think she’ll settle into a Staking, hopefully.
“Vega Magnifico is another beautiful young woman who could come to Leopardstown for a week today.”
O’Brien was particularly happy with his two-year-old “80 or 90” team, while the larger team included Thunder Moon, who were narrowly defeated at last season’s Prix Jean Prat.
“Thunder Moon will probably be in the Gladness Stakes and we’ll try to win Group One with him after that,” O’Brien said.
“I think seven cleats was his trip and he was unlucky not to get first place in France last year.
“I think I got his condition wrong a few times – I’ve tried sprinting for him or going a mile and if you look at all the times he’s run on seven scissors, they’re overtaking. far from his form on any other trip.
“Gear Up will start in the Alleged Stakes at Curragh and seems to be doing well. He didn’t really shoot last year, but he did have a bit of an injury.
“Back then, he was a very good two-year-old and we are pleased with what we have seen from him so far.”
