Melbourne Cup updates: With out A Battle wins Melbourne Cup — because it occurred

There have been doubts about With out A Battle after he completed thirteenth in final 12 months’s Melbourne Cup in moist circumstances at Flemington.

However when the seven-year-old gelding got here out and beat West Wind Blows and Gold Journey within the Caulfield Cup a number of weeks in the past, it modified everybody’s opinion.

The query was — would he keep the metric two miles?

At the moment’s proof exhibits that he completely may. It was an excellent experience from Zahra, who had his horse effectively throughout from barrier 16 and in correct place, 4 or 5 again.

He held his nerve when Serpentine, Kalapour, Magical Lagoon, Vow and Declare and others went out arduous midway.

Once they bought to the flip there have been loads of hopes, with Vauban coming across the outdoors of Future Historical past, with Vow and Declare and Absurde.

However With out A Battle got here down the centre of the monitor, timed completely by Zahra, to return clear with 100m to go. Ultimately, it was a strong win, with Soulcombe an enormous performer after lacking the bounce by three lengths. Sheraz confirmed once more he was the horse for 3,200m with an important third.