Without a Fight has won the 163rd running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, thundering home in the final straight to claim Australia's most prestigious racing trophy by two lengths.
Jockey Mark Zahra claimed back-to-back Melbourne Cup wins on the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained horse, after triumphing on Gold Trip last year.
Soulcombe placed second, with Sheraz third in the A$8 million (NZ$8.7 million), 3200m handicap.
"It's been a great race for the family, it's been a while between drinks and it's good to get another one," said Sam Freedman.
"An extraordinary ride, he got him onto the rail from a wide gate, relaxed, switched him off, made a run."
Two years ago, Zahra was infamously supposed to ride Verry Elleegant, but was suspended and handed the reins to James McDonald, who took the horse to victory. Last year, Zahra gained a measure of payback on board Gold Trip, but opted to ride Without A Fight this time.
He becomes the ninth jockey to ride back-to-back winners.
"Look, a good friend and someone I rate as one of the best judges in Australia... I spoke to him and he said there's not much in it, but if you can get him to settle, he will run it," reflected Zahra on his choice of Without A Fight.
"We went through the race and the weather forecast, the stars aligned for Gold Trip last year and aligned for this horse this year. Just a few things and the way he won the Caulfield Cup, I was confident he would run it."
Zahra celebrated his achievement with a provocative two-finger salute after crossing the finish-line and immediately regretted it.
"I don't know what I was thinking," he told Channel 10. "Idiot."
The field was reduced to 23, after the Kris Lees-trained Cleveland was scratched by stewards.
Victoria Racing vets later reported all starters survived the race. The horse to die during the Melbourne Cup was Anthony Van Dyck in 2020 and safety protocols were subsequently improved.
Right You Are was pulled up short of the finish, but was soon passed fit on a hot day at Melbourne.
Reuters/Newshub
