The Race that Stops the Nation again caught the imagination in 2023, as the Melbourne Cup delivered its fair share of drama. It was the feature event of the Sprint Carnival at Flemington, and there was no shortage of leading contenders looking to make a name for themselves in Australia’s premier race. You can read more about the Melbourne Cup at truebluecasinos.org, but you can catch up on all the stories from the 2023 running of the prestigious race right here.
The Melbourne Cup this year was somewhat of a demolition job from the eventual winner, as Without A Fight stormed clear under Mark Zahra to win by over two lengths. This year’s race was billed as one of the most competitive in recent memory, which means that the performance of the six-year-old could be upgraded immediately.
Without A Fight settled in the rear of the midfield before being angled off the rail and nudged toward the leading pack with two furlongs remaining. He led the field at the one-furlong point before running out strongly to finish as the commanding winner for trainers Anthony & Sam Freedman. His form was clear for all to see before the race, as the six-year-old had previously beaten West Wind Blows by a head to land the G1 Caulfield Cup in late October.
However, many overlooked the eventual winner after his disappointing performance in the race when finishing 13th of 22. The win marked the second straight year that Mark Zahra had rode the winner, becoming the first jockey since Glen Boss to land back-to-back wins in the race. However, Zahra was the first jockey to ride the winner on two different horses since Harry White in 1979.
Chris Waller was upbeat about his chances in the race this year despite none of his runners capturing much attention in the betting. However, the legendary Australian trainer had reason to celebrate after the race. Soulcombe was much the best of the remaining finishers behind the winner, as he finished just under a length clear to take second under the ride of Joao Moreira.
Sheraz was one of the highest-priced selections in the betting before the race, but the six-year-old ran a storming race to finish third for Waller. However, many bettors will be taking Soulcombe out of the race for the 2024 edition, as he could certainly be primed for a stronger effort next year.
Ashrun finished fourth in the Melbourne Cup, while New Zealand-bred Daqiansweet Junior was a 50/1 selection that finished fifth.
Willie Mullins has won every top prize on offer over jumps in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but he has often sent over some strong chances for the Melbourne Cup.
However, none have been more prominent in the betting in recent years than Vauban. The cross-code star started the season over jumps at the Cheltenham Festival before producing a stunning performance to land the Copper Horse Handicap on the flat to land success at Royal Ascot. Ryan Moore was on board at Flemington, but connections revealed after the race that the ground could have gone against the short-price favourite.
Absurde also represented the Mullins livery yard in the Melbourne Cup this year after impressing to land the Ebor Handicap in August. He was the stronger finisher of the Mullins pair as he closed in to take seventh. The five-year-old could be a contender to watch for the 2024 race edition at Flemington.
One of the most pleasing factors for organisers of the Melbourne Cup this year was the official attendance at Flemington. This year, 84,492 attended the race, eclipsing the number of spectators that passed through the gates in the first edition after the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was also the highest capacity achieved for the Melbourne Cup since 90,000 fans attended the 2017 edition of the race. While the capacities remain below the figures of over 100,000 prominent between 2002 and 2015, the increase in fans on track would be a plus for the 2024 edition in November of next year.
This year’s edition of the Melbourne Cup was a thrilling renewal of the great race. However, no star shone brighter than Without A Fight at Flemington, and all evidence suggests that the runner will be looking to take his chance on history by returning for a second straight success in 2024.
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