Without A Fight Wins Melbourne Cup 2023

Without A Fight is the 2023 Melbourne Cup winner. Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, the tough seven-year-old has managed to bag a memorable Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double.

How the Cup Unfolded as Zahra also Bags Double

A lot of the chat was about the hot favourite Vauban in the lead-up to this race. The Irish-trained runner was disappointing in the end, but this is the story of not one but two fantastic doubles.

Not only has Without A Fight landed both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup this spring, jockey Mark Zahra has now won the last two Melbourne Cups from the saddle.

Zahra had the option of riding his hero from last year, Gold Trip. He chose Without A Fight instead and that faith in the former English horse was well rewarded with a strong 2¾-length success.

Vauban had been moving nicely, at least looking from a distance. He was OK turning for home but weakened out of things very quickly. Ultimately, he finished back in 14^th, his trainer Willie Mullins saying he was beaten far too early for his liking.

Without A Fight was placed nicely in barrier 16. Having made a nice start, Mark Zahra’s mount was relaxed in on the rail with the jockey relying on a notorious turn of pace. That duly arrived when he moved off the rail. Quickening up impressively, Without A Fight hit the front early enough but was always holding Soulcombe in second.

Chris Waller was unlucky this time, training both the second and third. Soulcombe was well fancied beforehand, while third-placed Sheraz outran his odds brilliantly.

Full 2023 Melbourne Cup Result

It had been a keen betting heat, the Melbourne Cup odds remaining very competitive. Without A Fight at $8 was the subject of many successful bets over the course of the day.

Here’s how all the horses finished in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, along with their odds:

Without A Fight (Anthony & Sam Freedman) – $8.00.
Soulcombe (Chris Waller) – $9.50.
Sheraz (Chris Waller) – $151.00.
Ashrun (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) – $26.00.
Daqiansweet Junior (Phillip Stokes) – $51.00.
Interpretation (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) – $41.00.
Absurde (Willie Mullins) – $9.00.
True Marvel (Matthew A Smith) – $151.00.
Vow And Declare (Danny O’Brien) – $31.00.
Military Mission (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott) – $26.00.
Okita Soushi (Joseph O’Brien) – $101.00.
More Felons (Chris Waller) – $26.00.
Lastotchka (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr) – $26.00.
Vauban (Willie Mullins) – $5.50.
Future History (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) – $18.00.
Breakup (Tatsuya Yoshioka) – $18.00.
Gold Trip (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) – $6.50.
Virtuous Circle (Liam Howley) – $151.00.
Serpentine (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott) – $41.00.
Kalapour (Kris Lees) – $41.00.
Alenquer (Michael Moroney) – $21.00.
Magical Lagoon (Chris Waller) – $101.00.
Right You Are (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) – $31.00 (Pulled-up)