Mark Zahra to reunite with Without A Fight in the Q22

Mark Zahra is looking forward to reuniting with the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight in the Q22 at Eagle Farm

Without A Fight staged an impressive first-up win for the father-and-son training operation when successful in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) on May 27.

Saturday’s Group 2 race over 2200m looks made to order for Without A Fight if the stayer, who was first-up from finishing midfield in last year’s Melbourne Cup, draws a nice barrier.

“He was very impressive the other day and if he can bring that form again to the race on Saturday, he’s going to be very hard to beat,” Zahra said at the launch of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

“I’d never been on him before, but I had seen a few of his replays, but we had drawn a bit of a wide gate, so everyone was happy to ride him back and let him finish off.

“I thought we were going to run a nice third, but then I’ve gone to the line to win by almost two lengths, untouched.”

Zahra said he was a little surprised by the ease of Without A Fight’s victory and said the gelding’s best attribute was his turn of foot.

“I’m not sure if he’s shown it before,” Zahra said.

“I don’t think he has to go so far back, but with a ride where he can settle and conserve his energy with that turn of foot, he can win a major race in the spring.

“And he should be cherry ripe for that race on Saturday.”

Zahra will also partner Snapback in the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) on Saturday.

Snapback has drawn barrier 10 in the 17-horse field and Zahra is hoping for a better run than when second in the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 27.

“He was wide all the way and was tough at the finish, and he’s going to be meeting a similar field that he met last time,” Zahra said.

“If he can get a better run, he’s going to be one of the chances for sure.”