Deciding against riding last year’s winner Gold Trip was a big call for Mark Zahra, but it was one that paid off as he celebrated back-to-back Melbourne Cup victories aboard Caulfield Cup scorer Without A Fight.
Zahra took some flak – even at Flemington on the big raceday – for siding with the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained six-year-old, but he passed the iconic winning post two and a quarter lengths in front of runner-up Soulcombe.
From a wide draw in stall 16, Zahra managed to gain a position on the rail and his mount travelled smoothly into contention off a strong pace set by 2020 Derby winner Serpentine.
The eye was drawn to hot favourite Vauban and Absurde as the 23 runners entered the home straight, with the Willie Mullins stablemates side by side at the head of the field, but the former was soon beaten and the bright yellow silks sported by Zahra loomed up on Absurde’s outside.
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s Without A Fight quickened to the lead approaching the final furlong and soon stretched clear to become the 12th horse to complete the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double and the first since Ethereal in 2001.
Absurde weakened into seventh and Vauban disappointed back in 14th, while Gold Trip was a further three places behind in 17th.
Zahra said: “He relaxed well on the rail and I was confident in his ability as he has an electric turn of foot.
“When I came off the rail, he quickened well, and while I hit the front early, I felt there was nothing going to come from behind me.
“I can’t believe I’ve won the race again, but winning one helps you a lot. You have so much more confidence after getting the first one under your belt.
“If I’d stuffed it up, I still had a Melbourne Cup win on my CV and you go out there with more belief, especially when riding a good horse like him.”
Without A Fight passes the post in front in the Melbourne CupCredit: Morgan Hancock (Getty Images)
It was far from a straightforward decision for Zahra in picking his Melbourne Cup mount, particularly as Gold Trip had struck in the Turnbull Stakes at the track last month, but the rider felt there was lots in the favour of Without A Fight.
Zahra said: “Mark Hunter is a good friend and I rate him as one of the best judges in Australia, so I spoke to him at length about it. We went through the race, the weather forecast, and felt the stars aligned for Gold Trip last year and they aligned for this horse this year.
“His weight, combined with the way he won the Caulfield Cup, made me confident he would run a big race. I got a little bit of flak about changing horses and my choice, even at the races today, so for it to pay off makes it all justified.”
It was a first Melbourne Cup victory for the Freedmans since Makybe Diva completed a historic hat-trick in the race when trained by Anthony’s brother Lee in 2005.
Tawrrific, Subzero and Doriemus were other Cup winners for Lee Freedman, whose great grandfather Bill McLachlan won the race three times as a rider, the first coming on Prince Foote in 1909.
Sam Freedman said: “This is very special, it has been a great race for the family and it’s been a while between drinks, so it’s good to win another one.
“Without A Fight has been thriving and Mark, who has built a great rapport with him, gave him a freak of a ride.
“He’s an extraordinary horse and let down like he was a sprinter inside the final two furlongs. The team has done an amazing job with him.”
Mark Zahra celebrates a second Melbourne Cup successCredit: George Sal (Getty Images)
The first two home were formerly trained in Newmarket. Without A Fight won seven times for Simon and Ed Crisford, and Soulcombe, who overcame a tardy start under Joao Moreira, landed the Melrose for William Haggas last year before joining Chris Waller.
“Soulcombe was good enough to win the race but full credit to the winner – he has weight-for-age form and he was superior,” said Waller, who also had 150-1 third Sheraz.
“Missing the start isn’t ideal but Soulcombe is a great horse, he’s a genuine two-miler and he’ll get his chance again. He’s still a little bit quirky but once we get him worked out he’ll be better.”
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