Mark Zahra goes back-to-back to win the 2023 Melbourne Cup aboard Without a Fight after winning the Caulfield Cup a fortnight ago
Mark Zahra has claimed the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double after storming home to victory at Flemington on Tuesday.
Zahra rode the 2022 winner Gold Trip and made it back-to-back after betting on Without a Fight this Spring Carnival.
The win makes Without a Fight just the twelfth horse in history to claim the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double.
Without a Fight stormed home to beat the field of 23 local and international horses over 3200 meters for a whopping $8 million in prize money.
The Irish gelding paid $7 for the win, with Soulcombe finishing second and $100 outsider Sheraz finishing third in a huge upset.
But Zahra was the talk of the town after making the big decision to ditch Gold Trip after winning the Melbourne Cup last year with the French stallion.
Zahra signals two for his second straight Melbourne Cup win, before berating himself and calling himself an ‘idiot’
Zahra celebrates with the crowd after making the bold call to ride Without a Fight instead of Gold Trip at the Melbourne Cup
It was a decision that paid off, after he pipped Gold Trip to win the Caulfield Cup and then claimed the big prize at the Melbourne Cup.
It was also a decision that was rewarded with a $4.4 million payday.
‘All those years I told mum he couldn’t get a lift because he’s a heavyweight and now he had to choose between the two favourites. Incredible. That’s incredible,” coach Emma Freedman said.
Commentator Michelle Payne, who won the 2017 Melbourne Cup 100-1 outside Prince of Penzance, praised Zahra for his composure in the straight.
‘You have to tackle the big races and occasions and treat it like any other race. That’s basically what it is,” she said.
‘You can’t let the opportunity pass you by. Interesting to hear that Mark was so confident in the 400 meters. You don’t hear many jockeys say that.
“He was so lucky to be on a horse that could take him there. You could tell he navigated it to perfection.”
Zahra was stunned, scolding himself for sticking up two fingers for winning two Melbourne Cups and calling himself an ‘idiot’.
‘The stars were on the Gold Trip last year and on this horse this year. Just a few things and the way he won the Caulfield Cup I was confident he would win it,” Zahra said.
Zahra chose Without a Fight over Gold Trip this Spring Carnival and has now won the Melbourne Cup for the second time in a row
Zahra rode Gold Trip to victory at the 2022 Melbourne Cup, but switched horses to Without a Fight this year
Zahra and Without a Fight took on Gold Trip at the Caulfield Cup in a memorable finish
Later, Zahra admitted he had given Gold Trip ‘a pat on the back’ before the Cup, but said he had put last year’s glory behind him.
I still give him a wink, but I immediately moved on. My only focus was to win again with this horse’
Fellow trainer Sam Freedman described Zahra’s ride as ‘extraordinary’.
‘He got it through a wide gate onto the rail, relaxed, swam it away and was probably quite confident about the 800 meters he covered. He just needed the brakes to come. He’s a freak. No doubt about the trip there. He was excellent.’
Before the race even got underway, there was plenty of drama ahead of the 163rd running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
Cleveland was scratched on Monday on the advice of veterinarians after the horse was found to have an elevated temperature.
Thousands of partygoers turned up for the 2023 Melbourne Cup despite the threat of rain and thunderstorms on the day
There was a full day of racing action including the Subzero Handicap won by Daniel Stackhouse on The Maggstar
The race that brought a nation to a standstill did not disappoint again, much to the delight of the capacity crowd at Flemington
New Zealand-trained hope Alenquer also doubted, which would have been disastrous as it would have robbed retiring champion jockey Damien Oliver of a final ride in the Cup.
He did not pass a veterinary examination until 3.30am on the day of the race, with Racing Victoria saying ‘the gelding had improved significantly overnight and was therefore fit to race’.
European superstar Vauban was the early favorite to win, attracting huge bets, including nearly $1 million placed by one bettor.
It was also a special day with Frank Reys being honored at Flemington with a tribute to the only First Nations jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.
He was also the only jockey to win from barrier 24 when he saluted aboard Gala Supreme in 1973.