Irish born superstar racehorse charges into early Melbourne Cup favouritism after stunning Queensland win
- His finishing burst at Eagle Farm to win was astonishing
- His Aussie trainer has successful Melbourne Cup pedigree
- He is favourite for the Cox Plate too
Some people probably suspect it’s a little too early for Gr 1 Melbourne Cup betting, but on Saturday at Eagle Farm racecourse in Queensland, bookies saw enough talent to install a new favourite.
The 3200m race that stops a nation will be run at Flemington on November 7 and this year is worth $8 million.
And after a big Eagle Farm race on Saturday, Irish stayer Without A Fight who did his early racing in England and has now won two out of three races here in Australia has got the bookies excited.
Saturday’s race was the Q22 Stakes over 2200m and was worth $1.2million.
He came from 11th on the bend with such a forceful burst of speed that he gobbled up a crack field and raced away to win eased up by two lengths from Group 1 Caulfield Cup placegetter Nonconformist and Australian Cup winner Duais.
New Australian racing star Without A Fight (pictured) stormed into early Melbourne Cup favouritism on Saturday after winning brilliantly at Eagle Farm
Champion rider Mark Zahra lifts aloft the 2022 Melbourne Cup he won on Gold Trip and he is now staring at a second Cup win as the regular rider of emerging star Without A Fight
The win caused all bookies to react and he is now the $12 equal Cup favourite.
‘We are looking at a star. He is a real star, Without A Fight. What a brilliant win,’ said course commentator Josh Fleming.
And his words were echoed by legendary colour race commentator and professional punter Ron Dufficy.
‘I don’t know exactly what we are looking at 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 ran in the Melbourne Cup last year but finished only 13th.
The Without A Fight of Saturday in Brisbane is a vastly different and much, much more mature galloper.
He is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman. Anthony was with his brother Lee when they won Melbourne Cup year’s ago with the champion Makybe Diva.
As well as storming to early equal Melbourne Cup favouritism, Without A Fight has firmed to favouritism for the richest WFA race the $7million Cox Plate and is 2nd favourite for the Gr 1 Caulfield Cup – both races in October.
Outstanding Victorian rider Mark Zahra who steered Gold Trip to victory in the Melbourne Cup last year, was on Without A Fight on Saturday.
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