Easy trial for Melbourne Cup hopeful Without A Fight
Precisely where Without A Fight’s spring path will lead is not yet known, but the highly-rated import took the first step on it at Cranbourne on Monday.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper made his first public appearance since his brilliant Brisbane winter campaign with a soft 1000-metre trial.
The son of Teofilo finished second-last, beaten around seven lengths by trial winner Steinem, but earned a favourable report from raceday jockey Mark Zahra at his most serious hitout since returning from Queensland around three weeks ago, which left Sam Freedman satisfied.
“He just had an easy time of it, he gave him a little push along late and he started to pick up but we have been conscious of just getting him to settle and relax,” Freedman said.
“He was obviously a little bit keen last prep, so Mark was very happy with him. He said he just relaxed perfectly, they quickened away and left him a little flat-footed, but he was just getting into his work late.
“He had a very big blow, he’ll have another one, maybe another two trials, before we see him at the races, but we got what we wanted to get out of it.”
After an explosive win in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) on May 27, Without A Fight was a dominant winner of the $1.2m Group 2 Q22 (2200m) at the same track two weeks’ later.
The seven-year-old is now favourite for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the shortest-priced Australian-trained runner in the Cox Plate (2040m), with nominations for those two races closing on Tuesday.
He is also prominent in betting on the Melbourne Cup, in which he finished 13th last year, but the spring campaign is likely to be geared around one of the earlier spring majors.
The likely starting point is the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Sunday, October 1, but the Freedmans will make a final call after assessing his rate of improvement after his next trial.
“Probably the Underwood is his most likely (first-up run), but he’ll have another trial, which will leave the Makybe (Diva Stakes) as an option, but we’re probably more likely to wait for the Underwood,” Freedman said.
The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) will be run at Flemington on Saturday, September 16.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Slick return has Lubrication ready to rumble in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Lubrication has put his hand up for a strong summer campaign after a powerhouse first-up performance that sends him into the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben full of confidence. The gelding enjoyed a breakout moment in May when winning the $1 million The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton, defeating future...