Jockey Mark Zahra declares Without A Fight back to best, ‘very hard to beat’ in Hong Kong Group 1

Big race jockey Mark Zahra has declared comeback Cups champion Without A Fight “back to where he was” ahead of the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) on Sunday at Sha Tin.

Mark Zahra celebrating Without A Fight’s Melbourne Cup win with Flemington racegoers last year. Picture: Picture: David Caird

Big race jockey Mark Zahra has declared comeback Cups champion Without A Fight “back to where he was” ahead of the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) next Sunday at Sha Tin.

Caulfield and Melbourne Cup-winner Without A Fight placed third in the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington first-up after a tendon injury.

Zahra, a dual Melbourne and Caulfield Cup winner, said victory in Hong Kong would be an “extraordinary achievement” for the horse, trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman and all involved in Without A Fight’s rehabilitation.

“His first trial this time in was outstanding and I thought ‘we’re back’, his second one wasn’t as good but they said he had his vaccinations the day before,” Zahra said.

READ: ‘Black Caviar class’: Dye’s huge praise for HK Sprint hotpot

“But his run in (the Champions Stakes) told me he’s back to where he was, so I’d expect him to be very hard to beat.

“It would be a great testament to the trainers, Anthony and Sam, to get him back.

Without A Fight (IRE) ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on November 07, 2023 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

“For a horse to have a year off after a tendon and winning the Cups, to come back and to be able to be at the same level, would be an extraordinary achievement.”

Without A Fight is a $4 favourite with Ladbrokes for the Hong Kong Vase (2400m) from Japanese-trained filly Stellenbosch ($4.50) and globetrotter Dubai Honour ($7).

Without A Fight arrived in Hong Kong last week and settled into his new surroundings perfectly.

“All reports are he’s going really well … and a bit of the field has dropped away,” Zahra said.

“Rebel’s Romance, it’s not going now, it looked hard to beat and Japanese horse (Shahryar) isn’t going either.

“(Without A Fight) doesn’t even need a good draw because he’s going to settle back a bit, but a good draw would help and I expect him to run really well.

“What he needs is speed in the race … as long as he has tempo on it gives him his chance to show he’s usually the strongest stayer in the race with the best turn of foot.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 07: Mark Zahra riding Without A Fight celebrates winning Race 7, the Lexus Melbourne Cup during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 07, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

West Australian Zahra will ride in Perth on Saturday on Democracy Manifest for Chris Waller in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m), before a flight to Hong Kong.

“I’m usually on holidays this time of year but I’m hanging around because I want to win the Group 1 in Hong Kong,” Zahra said.

“This year, since I’ve extended, had all the family there at the races (two weeks’ ago rode Democracy Manifest in the Railway Stakes) to watch me ride, it’s good, good to be back.”

The Without A Fight ride has also landed Zahra aboard Docklands in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile and Recommendation in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).

Zahra has ridden winners in Hong Kong before but nothing to “set the world on fire”.

“I had a couple of stints there a long, long time ago, ridden a few winners, nothing special, didn’t set the world on fire, but I’ve been there and ridden winners,” Zahra said.

“It would be good to win a Group 1 over there.”

Zahra will start a month holiday next week to recharge after a successful spring carnival.

Originally published as Jockey Mark Zahra declares Without A Fight back to best, ‘very hard to beat’ in Hong Kong Group 1