In years past, Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight would be one of the most talked about runners in the Melbourne Cup.
But with Irish raider Vauban in town grabbing all the headlines after a gallop at Flemington last week, Without A Fight has slipped under the radar.
That is the just way his trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman like it as the stayer prepares to become the 12th horse to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups double and the first since Ethereal in 2001 when he lines up at Flemington on Tuesday.
Without A Fight is back at Flemington for a second tilt at the Cup having finished 13th last year, just out of the prizemoney which is paid down to 12th.
Last year Without A Fight came to Australia in the care of Simon and Ed Crisford before being left in the care of the Freedmans.
Ironically, Without A Fight defeated the Crisfords West Wind Blows in the Caulfield Cup.
“Ed was working over there when I was working over there (the UK) and I met him through some mutual friends,” Sam Freedman said.
“He filled us in on the horse and was really open about what the horse was like when he stayed with us after last year’s race.
“He came straight up after the Caulfield Cup, he shook my hand and was all class after the race.”
Freedman is looking forward to seeing Without A Fight on top of the ground in this year’s Cup after the Soft track went against him last year.
“It looks like we will get good ground this time,” Freedman said.
“He’s got to run the trip. There’s that little knock on him, but I think he will. He was strong in the Caulfield Cup, so we’re hopeful.
“He’s gone up in weight from Caulfield, but he’s got the weight for a reason, and I think its deserved.”
Freedman said the stable had not been over strenuous with their work since Without A Fight won the Caulfield Cup.
The stayer has been to Mornington on a couple of occasions to work on the course proper and jockey Mark Zahra partnered Without A Fight in a gallop last week.
“He’s been excellent since the Caulfield Cup, Freedman said.
“He pulled-up great from the race and he’s as good as you can hope.
“He’s had one main piece of work. Mark came down and rode him on Tuesday and he’s just done bits and pieces, but he’s very fit.
“Mark Suey and the whole Mornington team and the MRC have been fantastic in helping us prepare him for the race and hopefully it pays off on Tuesday.”
