Without A Fight is the 2023 Caulfield Cup winner after proving the strongest late in the feature on Saturday afternoon.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman galloper overcame European gelding West Wind Blows by a short half-head, with race favourite Gold Trip a further few lengths back in third place.
It was a classic edition of the Cup, with a scorching pace ensuring the backmarkers had their say in the 2400m affair.
WHAT A WEEK!
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 21, 2023
Without A Fight wins the Caulfield Cup 🏆@FreedmanRacing pic.twitter.com/EspJ9KV8dR
West Wind Blows, for English trainers Simon & Ed Crisford, missed the start by multiple lengths but used an inside barrier to its advantage and settled a bit worse than midfield.
Despite looking the winner at the 200-metre mark, the five-year-old gelding was grabbed by Without A Fight in the shadow of the post under the urgings of Mark Zahra.
To add another narrative to the major win, Without a Fight was previously trained by the Crisford's before transferring into the care of the Freedmans between last year’s Melbourne Cup and earlier this year.
It’s Zahra’s second Caulfield Cup winner after winning the race in 2020 aboard Verry Elleegant.
“What a moment, I’m so happy,” Zahra told Racing.com after celebrating past the post.
“I don’t really celebrate much but with the week I’ve had had and the things I’ve gone on, I had to kick myself in the ribs… I had a beautiful run and he did the rest.”
"Geez, he was game late, he wanted to win."
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 21, 2023
Mark Zahra can put another Caulfield Cup on the mantle 🏆
@stowaustralia pic.twitter.com/LGbtuyDfUb
Co-trainer Sam Freedman added: “It’s a special day… the horse it brilliant on top of the ground and all the staff at home have done a terrific job.”
Without A Fight is now expected to contest the Melbourne Cup where he is the $7 third elect in betting.