Australia: Without a Fight wins Melbourne Cup in second try
Without a Fight was 13th in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup in 2022 in his second start in Australia.
A year later, after a full season to acclimate to Australian racing, Without a Fight ran the race of his career to win Tuesday’s $5.4 million Melbourne Cup at two miles at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
Without a Fight was given a ground-saving trip and rallied from the middle of a field of 23 to reach the front with more than a furlong remaining. Without a Fight ($17.20 in American pools) finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of 7-1 Soulcombe, who broke slowly and raced in traffic with three furlongs remaining.
Sheraz, who was more than 100-1 in American pools, finished third, while 2-1 favorite Vauban finished 14th. Vauban raced several lengths behind a quick pace and was ridden into a contending position with a half-mile remaining before fading.
Without a Fight was ridden by Mark Zahra, who won the 2022 Melbourne Cup with Gold Trip,the 17th-place finisher this year. Zahra is the first rider to win consecutive runnings of the Melbourne Cup since Glen Boss won the race three consecutive years on the famous mare Makybe Diva from 2003 to 2005.
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Without a Fight, a 6-year-old Irish-bred gelding by Teofilo, races for owner and breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum of Dubai and is trained by the father-and-son team Anthony and Sam Freedman.
Without a Fight began his career in Britain, where he was trained by Simon and Ed Crisford. Without a Fight won three minor stakes in Britain in 2021 and 2022 before he was sent to Australia.
After the 2022 Melbourne Cup, Without a Fight was transferred to the Freedmans. This year, Without a Fight won three of four starts leading to the Melbourne Cup, including the Group 1 Caulfield Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne on Oct. 21.
Anthony Freedman’s brother Lee, also a trainer, won the Melbourne Cup five times from 1989 to 2005, including twice with Makybe Diva.
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