Irish-born superstar racehorse heads into Melbourne Cup patronage after stunning win in Queensland
- His finishing flurry at Eagle Farm to win was astonishing
- His Aussie coach passed the Melbourne Cup pedigree
- He is also a favorite for the Cox Plate
Some people probably suspect it’s a bit too early to bet on the Melbourne Cup Gr 1, but on Saturday at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Queensland, bookies saw enough talent to install a new favorite.
The nation-stopping 3200m race will take place in Flemington on November 7 and this year is worth $8 million.
And after a big run from Eagle Farm on Saturday, Irish resident Without A Fight, which made its first races in England and has now won two of three races here in Australia, has the bookmakers excited.
Saturday’s race was the Q22 Stakes over 2200m and was worth $1.2m.
He came from 11th into the corner with such powerful acceleration that he gobbled up a field of crack and raced away to win, relieved two lengths by the Group 1 Nonconformist Caulfield Cup placegetter and winner of the Duais Australian Cup.
Australia’s new racing star Without A Fight (pictured) burst into Melbourne Cup patronage on Saturday after brilliantly winning at Eagle Farm
Champion driver Mark Zahra lifts the 2022 Melbourne Cup he won on the Gold Trip and he is now eyeing a second Cup win as a regular driver for emerging star Without A Fight
The victory had all the bookies reacting and he is now the favorite in the $12 Cup.
“We are looking at a star. It’s a real star, Without A Fight. What a brilliant victory,” said course commentator Josh Fleming.
And his words were echoed by legendary color racing commentator and professional bettor Ron Dufficy.
“I don’t know exactly what we are looking for, but he is very special.”
Without A Fight came to Australia in September last year after an 18-start career in England where he reached Group 2 level.
He competed in the Melbourne Cup last year but only finished 13th.
The Without A Fight of Saturday in Brisbane is a very different and much, much more mature galloper.
He is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman. Anthony was with his brother Lee when they won the Melbourne Cup a year ago with champion Makybe Diva.
As well as taking the Melbourne Cup patronage by storm, Without A Fight have confirmed their favoritism for the WFA’s richest race, the $7m Cox Plate, and are 2nd favorite for the Caulfield Cup Gr 1 – both races in October.
Top Victorian runner Mark Zahra, who rode Gold Trip to victory in the Melbourne Cup last year, was on Without A Fight on Saturday.
