Melbourne Cup 2023: Without A Fight wins as WA jockey Mark Zahra claims back-to-back victories

Without A Fight has won the $8 million Melbourne Cup for 2023.

WA-born jockey Mark Zahra won the race that stops the nation for the second year in a row, this time on the seven-year-old Irish Gelding, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman.

Zahra, who won the Cup in 2022 on Gold Trip, described Without A Fight as an “absolute gentlemen” in the post-race chat.

“I was on a horse that you can just sit on you know, he‘s got electric turn of foot and he just pulled me all the way to the line and it was all over,” he said.

“I stood up on the line and gave the two fingers for two wins.”

Zahra won the Melbourne Cup just 12-months ago on Gold Trip but sensationally switched to Without A Fight who he also rode to victory in the Caulfield Cup.

Without A Fight became the first horse to win the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double since Ethereal in 2001.

Soulcombe (6) came in second, ridden by jockey Joao Moreira and trained by Chris Waller.

Rounding out the podium was Sheraz (14), also trained by Chris Waller, a seven-year-old Gelding ridden by Beau Mertens.

Ashrun (11) came in fourth. Vauban, the $5.50 favourite, challenged for the lead at the top of the straight but faded to run 14th.

The French horse trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins was the bookies’ choice followed by last year’s winner Gold Trip and Without a Fight.

Cleveland was withdrawn from the Cup on Tuesday Monday afternoon following advice from veterinarians, narrowing the field to 23 horses.

Alenquer, ridden by retiring three-time winner Damien Oliver, was cleared to race on Tuesday morning after reports of an 11th hour foot pain but underwent an on-course inspection prior to the race.

The winner receives the famous 18ct solid gold Hardy Brothers trophy – worth an extra $250,000 – alongside $4.4m of the prize pool.

Second place takes home $1.1m while third, fourth and fifth receive $550,000, $350,000 and $230,000 respectively.

- with AAP