Where YOUR horse placed in the 2023 Melbourne Cup as Without a Fight takes out the race that stops the nation

• Without A Fight won 2023 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Mark Zahra
• Soulcombe a valiant second, Shiraz surprised to finish third
• Zahra also won the Cup on board Gold Trip at Flemington last year
• After failing to finish, Right You Are finished a distant last 

Without A Fight has won the 2023 Melbourne Cup after he stormed to victory at Flemington.

The Caulfield Cup winner cruised home by two lengths, finishing ahead of a gallant Soulcombe, with Sheraz claiming third spot over the 3200m journey.

Remarkably, it was jockey Mark Zahra’s second successive Cup triumph, after he saluted on Gold Trip 12 months ago. 

‘Unbelievable,’ a jubilant Zahra said post race. 

‘He was a gentleman for me today. Went to the rail and switched off and probably got to the front earlier than last year.

‘In front of him was Gold Trip and Vauban. I thought I’d stay here. They all made their moves and it opened up for me. 

Without A Fight has won the 2023 Melbourne Cup after he stormed to victory at Flemington

Remarkably, it was Mark Zahra’s second successive Cup triumph, after he saluted on Gold Trip 12 months ago

Given the prizemoney was $4.4million for the winner, hoop Mark Zahra had every reason to smile (pictured)

‘I was on a horse you can sit on. He’s got an electric turn of foot and he pulled me all the way to the line.’

Here is where the rest of the field finished in the race that stops a nation, starting with Ashrun in fourth place.

5th: Daqiansweet Junior

Super run from the 2022 Adelaide Cup winner.

6th:  Interpretation

Great effort to finish in the top six from the last start winner in the Bendigo Cup.

7th: Absurde

Firmed in significantly, couldn’t get a clear run. An opportunity missed. 

8th: True Marvel

Did exceptionally well to snare a top 10 placing. 

9th: Vow And Declare

2019 Melbourne Cup winner showed his old legs can hold their own.

Decorated trainer Gai Waterhouse would have expected a better showing from Military Mission

Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban finished in 14th, leaving many punters searching for answers

10th: Military Mission

Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott trained stayer would have hoped to finish higher.

11th: Okita Soushi

After poor run in the Caulfield Cup, took his shot at redemption.

12th: More Felons

Was previously named Scriptwriter – but couldn’t perform a miracle at Flemington even with the talented Jamie Kah in the saddle.

13th: Lastotchka

Barrier 21 wasn’t ideal, even master jockey Craig Williams couldn’t conjure a miracle.

14th: Vauban

Where do we even start? Some big punters will be wincing reading this. Pre-race favourite went missing. 

15th: Future History

Won the Group 3 Bart Cummings at Flemington a month ago which warranted automatic entry into the Cup. Proved to be the only highlight, ridden by Hollie Doyle.

16th: Breakup 

Japanese starter whose connections will be feeling deflated.

17th: Gold Trip

Last year’s winner couldn’t repeat the dose. 

James McDonald has dominated the Spring Carnival – but couldn’t get Gold Trip to go back to back in the race that stops a nationb

18th: Virtuous Circle

Rank outsider, trained by Dianne McDonald, the mother of champion Kiwi hoop James McDonald. $151 chance for a reason.

19th: Serpentine

Dictated the pace early, faded badly as was expected. 

20th: Kalapour

Also gave once-a-year punters hope, finished where many experts thought he would. 

21st: Alenquer

No Cup fairytale for the departing Damien Oliver. 

22nd: Magical Lagoon

Jockey Mark Du Plessis felt he may be outclassed, proved to be the case.

23rd: Right You Are (failed to finish)

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