JOHNNY Allen has landed the ride on the Joseph O’Brien-trained State Of Rest in the Cox Plate on October 23rd.

The recent Saratoga Derby winner is due to land this weekend in Australia.

“He is a nice horse. He was impressive in America,” said Allen of the Starspangledbanner three-year-old owned by Teme Valley Racing. “He looks progressive. His best win was in America which was on a tight, left-hand turning track on firm ground. He is going to have to improve if Zaaki and Verry Elleegant bring their ‘A game’, but I’ve got no reason to think why he can’t.

“Joseph got in contact with me. I rode a winner for him a few years ago, so he got in contact with me about it a few weeks ago.”

Craig Williams has been confirmed as rider for the Andrew Balding-trained Spanish Mission in both Cups and this weekend he rides the Cox Plate favourite Zaaki in his first start in Melbourne, the Group 1 Underwood Stakes over 1,800 metres at Sandown.

No crowds

As the Delta strain of Covid-19 spreads through Melbourne (628 cases on Wednesday), sporting crowds remain locked out as the State races towards an 80% double vaccination rate, after which restrictions will ease.

Unfortunately this has seen Caulfield and Moonee Valley surrender to the pandemic for the second year in a row. No crowds will be in attendance for either the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate.

The Victoria Racing Club, however, remain optimistic that crowds will be in attendance on Cup day with an application in with the State Government for, it is believed, a crowd of 15,000.

“In terms of numbers, there’s a bit to work through. Our liaison with the Government will continue on a day-to-day basis and we will work closely with them over the next few weeks,” said VRC chief Steve Rosich. “We are hoping to finalise the numbers and the arrangements by the end of this month.”