Mark Zahra goes back-to-back to win Melbourne Cup 2023 aboard Without a Fight after winning the Caulfield Cup a fortnight ago<\/h1>\n

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• Was the\u00a0163rd running of the Melbourne Cup<\/strong><\/li>\n
• 23 local and international horses raced over 3200m<\/strong><\/li>\n
• Race that stops a nation had $8million in prize money\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Mark Zahra has claimed the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double after storming home to win at Flemington on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

  Zahra rode the 2022 winner Gold Trip and made it back-to-back after gambling on Without a Fight this Spring Carnival.<\/p>\n

  The win makes Without a Fight only the 12th horse in history to claim the Caulfield Cup\/Melbourne Cup double.\u00a0<\/p>\n

  Without a Fight stormed home to beat the field of 23 local and international horses races over 3200m for a massive $8million in prizemoney.\u00a0<\/p>\n

  The Irish gelding paid $7 for the win, with Soulcombe finishing second and $100 outsider Sheraz claiming third in a huge shock.<\/p>\n

  But Zahra was the talk of the day, after making the huge call to ditch Gold Trip after winning the Melbourne Cup aboard the French stallion last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Zahra signals two for his second Melbourne Cup win in a row, before scolding himself and calling himself an ‘idiot’<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Zahra celebrates with the crowd after making the bold call to ride Without a Fight instead of Gold Trip at the Melbourne Cup<\/p>\n

  It was a decision that paid dividends, after pipping Gold Trip to win the Caulfield Cup and then claiming the big prize at the Melbourne Cup.<\/p>\n

  It was also a decision that was rewarded with a\u00a0$4.4 million payday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

  ‘I said to Mum all these years where he couldn’t get a ride because he’s a heavyweight and now he had to choose between the two favourites. Unbelievable. That is unbelievable,’ trainer Emma Freedman said.<\/p>\n

  Commentator Michelle Payne, who famously won the 2017 Melbourne Cup aboard 100-1 outside Prince of Penzance, praised Zahra for his composure down the straight.<\/p>\n

  ‘You have to handle the big races and occasions and treat it like another race. That’s basically what it is,’ she said.<\/p>\n

  ‘You can’t let the occasion get to you. Interesting to hear Mark was so confident at the 400m mark. You wouldn’t hear many jockeys say that.<\/p>\n

  ‘He was so lucky to be on a horse that could take him there. You could see he navigated it to perfection.’<\/p>\n

  Zahra was lost for words, scolding himself for holding up two fingers for winning two Melbourne Cups and calling himself an ‘idiot’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

  ‘The stars aligned for Gold Trip last year and aligned for this horse this year. Just a few things and the way he won the Caulfield Cup, I was confident he would run it,’ Zahra said.<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Zahra chose Without a Fight over Gold Trip this Spring Carnival and has now claimed the Melbourne Cup for the second time in a row<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Zahra rode Gold Trip to victory at the 2022 Melbourne Cup, but changed horses to Without a Fight this year<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Zahra and Without a Fight went head-to-head with Gold Trip at the Caulfield Cup in a memorable finish<\/p>\n

  Speaking later, Zahra admitted to giving Gold Trip ‘a bit of a pat’ before the Cup, but said he had moved on from last year’s glory.<\/p>\n

  I still give him a wink but I’ve moved right on. My sole focus was to win again on this horse’\u00a0<\/p>\n

  Fellow trainer Sam Freedman described Zahra’s ride as ‘extraordinary’.<\/p>\n

  ‘He got him onto the rail from a wide gate, relaxed, swimmed him off and pretty confident probably the 800m he was travelling. He just needed\u00a0the brakes to come. He’s a freak. No doubts on the trip there late. He was excellent.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

  Before the race even jumped there was plenty of drama preceding the 163rd running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.<\/p>\n

  Cleveland was scratched on Monday on the advice of vets after the horse recorded an elevated temperature.<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Thousands of revellers turned out for the 2023 Melbourne Cup despite the threat of rain and thunderstorms on the day<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  There was a full day of racing action including the\u00a0Subzero Handicap won by\u00a0Daniel Stackhouse riding The Maggstar<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  The race that stops a nation didn’t disappoint once again to the delight of the capacity crowd at Flemington<\/p>\n

  New Zealand-trained hope Alenquer was also in doubt, which would have been disastrous as it would have robbed retiring champion jockey Damien Oliver of one final ride in the Cup.<\/p>\n

  He only passed a vet examination at 3.30am on the day of the race with\u00a0Racing Victoria saying: ‘the gelding had improved significantly overnight and as a result was passed suitable to race’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

  European superstar Vauban was the early favourite to win and attracted massive bets including almost $1million\u00a0placed by one punter.<\/p>\n

  It was also a special day with Frank Reys honoured at Flemington with a tribute to the only First Nations jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.<\/p>\n

  He was also the only jockey to win from barrier 24 when he saluted in 1973 aboard Gala Supreme.<\/p>\n

  MELBOURNE CUP 2023 FINAL FINISHING ORDER ALL HORSES\u00a0<\/h3>\n

  1. Without a Fight<\/p>\n

  2. Soulcombe<\/p>\n

  3. Sheraz<\/p>\n

  4. Ashrun<\/p>\n

  5. Daqiansweet Junior<\/p>\n

  6. Interpretation<\/p>\n

  7. Absurde<\/p>\n

  8. True Marvel<\/p>\n

  9. Vow and Declare<\/p>\n

  10. Military Mission<\/p>\n

  11. Okita Soushi<\/p>\n

  12. More Felons<\/p>\n

  13. Lastotchka<\/p>\n

  14. Vauban<\/p>\n

  15. Future History<\/p>\n

  16. Breakup<\/p>\n

  17. Gold Trip<\/p>\n

  18. Virtuous Circle<\/p>\n

  19. Serpentine<\/p>\n

  20. Kalapour<\/p>\n

  21. Alenquer<\/p>\n

  22. Magical Lagoon<\/p>\n

  Failed to finish. Right You Are<\/p>\n

  Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Mark Zahra goes back-to-back to win Melbourne Cup 2023 aboard Without a Fight after winning the Caulfield Cup a fortnight ago Was the\u00a0163rd running of the Melbourne Cup 23 local and international horses raced over 3200m Race that stops a nation had $8million in prize money\u00a0\u00a0 Mark Zahra has claimed the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":295702,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n