Where YOUR horse placed in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, Without a Fight wins the race that stops the nation
Without A Fight has won the 2023 Melbourne Cup after storming to victory at Flemington.
The Caulfield Cup winner powered home by two lengths to finish ahead of a brave Soulcombe, while Sheraz claimed third spot.
Remarkably, it was Mark Zahra’s second successive cup win, having saluted at Gold Trip 12 months ago.
“Unbelievable,” said a jubilant Zahra after the race.
“He was a gentleman to me today. Went to the track and switched off and probably got to the front earlier than last year.
‘In front of him were Gold Trip and Vauban. I thought I would stay here. They all did their best and it opened up for me.
Without A Fight has won the 2023 Melbourne Cup after storming to victory at Flemington
Remarkably, it was Mark Zahra’s second consecutive cup win, having saluted at Gold Trip twelve months ago
Considering the prize money for the winner was $4.4 million, Mark Zahra had every reason to smile (photo)
I was on a horse that you can sit on. He has an electric foot movement and pulled me all the way to the line.”
This is where the rest of the field finished in the race that holds a country back, starting with fourth place.
11. Asrun
Showed the Geelong Cup run where he finished second, no fluke, impressive performance.
5th: 12. Daqiansweet Junior
Super run from the 2022 Adelaide Cup winner.
6th: 22.Interpretation
Great achievement to finish in the top six of the last start winner in the Bendigo Cup.
7th: 7. Absurd
Strengthened significantly, couldn’t get a flawless run. A missed opportunity.
8th:24.Real miracle
Did exceptionally well and achieved a top 10 place.
9th: 9. Promise and declare
The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner showed that his old legs can hold their own.
Decorated trainer Gai Waterhouse expected a better performance from Military Mission
Melbourne Cup favorite Vauban finished 14th, leaving many punters looking for answers
10th: 17. Military mission
The Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott-trained stayer had hoped to finish higher.
11th: 13. Okita Soushi
After a poor performance in the Caulfield Cup, he took his chance at redemption.
12th: 20. More criminals
Previously called Scriptwriter, he couldn’t perform a miracle at Flemington, even with the talented Jamie Kah in the saddle.
13th: 15. Lastotchka
Barrier 21 was not ideal, even master jockey Craig Williams could not conjure a miracle.
14th: 5. Vauban
Where do we even start? Some big gamblers will wince when they read this. Pre-race favorite disappeared.
15th: 21. Future History
Won the Group 3 Bart Cummings at Flemington a month ago, which warranted automatic entry into the Cup. Turned out to be the only highlight, ridden by Hollie Doyle.
16th: 4. Breaking up
Japanese upstart whose connections will feel deflating.
17th: 1. Golden journey
Last year’s winner could not repeat the dose.
James McDonald has dominated the Spring Carnival but couldn’t get Gold Trip to go back-to-back in the race that holds a nation back.
18th: 19.Virtuous circle
Rank outsider, trained by Dianne McDonald, the mother of champion Kiwi hoop James McDonald. $151 chance for a reason.
19th: 18.Serpentine
Dictated the pace early and faded poorly as expected.
20th: 23.Kalapour
Also gave punters hope once a year, ending where many pundits thought he would.
21st: 2.Alenquer
No cup match for the departing Damien Oliver.
22nd: 16. Magic Lagoon
Jockey Mark Du Plessis felt he might be outclassed, and that turned out to be the case.
23rd: 8. You’re right (cannot be completed)