2023 saw another excellent Melbourne Cup Carnival take place. We’re going back over the key action, including looking at who took down the big prizes during another fantastic series of racing action.
Riff a Real Rocket
The Carnival got going on Saturday November 4 with Victoria Derby Day. It was a huge day of Group action, the Victoria Derby itself going to $2.20 favourite Riff Rocket.
There were G1 victories also for Ozzmosis in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Pride Of Jenni in the Empire Rose.
Elsewhere on the card, there were big wins for Kaizad, Kalapour, Queen Of The Ball, Spacewalk, Amazonian Lass and Cause For Concern.
Without A Fight Powers to Cup Victory
Around 1.6 million people watched the Melbourne Cup live domestically. Many more watched around the world too. On the most important day of all, Tuesday 7th, it was Without A Fight who landed the Melbourne Cup in style.
The $8 chance was ridden by Mark Zahra. He was riding his second Melbourne Cup winner in a row with Soulcombe back in second ahead of Sheraz and Ashrun. We all hope to see Without A Fight trained to attempt to defend his crown in twelve months’ time and we’ll keep you informed of that.
Elsewhere on the card there were big wins for Roll On High and Skew Wiff. The former took the Desirable Stakes (Listed) for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. The latter was successful in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (Group 3).
Skew Wiff scored by a head and a short-head in a great finish for jockey Opie Bosson.
Kennedy Oaks Goes to Zardozi
Thursday November 9 is Oaks Day. The top filly in the feature race was Zarzodi, a clear winner by 2¾ lengths. James Cummings’ filly represents Godolphin and was ridden by their James McDonald. A daughter of Kingman, Zardozi is a filly with a very bright future.
Earlier, there were two Group 3 races during the afternoon. Karavas took down the Ottawa Stakes at $9, while Mumbai Muse was also successful. Michael Freedman’s runner was a popular winner, ridden by Tommy Berry.
Waller Takes the Final Big Carnival Race
A hugely entertaining Carnival at Flemington was rounded off on Saturday (11th) with Champions Stakes Day. The action gradually increased in quality with the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes being followed by the Group 2 Matriarch.
Muramasa and Deny Knowledge were two winning favourites in those opening races. The punters were well served in the first Group 1 of the day too, as Imperatriz took the Champions Sprint.
Pride Of Jenni was winning again in the Champions Mile, but it was Chris Waller who was successful in the Champions Stakes. His Atishu was an $8.5m chance, but that was no barrier to success.
The daughter of Svbabeel was imperious in the end. She pulled clear in the later stages of the race, beating Duais by 1¾ lengths.
