‘Ticked all the boxes’: 2023 Cup champ Without A Fight ready for Via Sistina showdown in 2024 Champions Stakes at Flemington

Melbourne Cup winner and reigning Victorian Racehorse of the Year Without A Fight is back where he belongs – in the Group 1 arena at Flemington.

Melbourne Cup winner and reigning Victorian Racehorse of the Year Without A Fight is back where he belongs – in the Group 1 arena at Flemington.

The comeback stayer, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, will resume on Saturday in the $3m Champions Stakes (2000m) after a meticulous 12-month absence.

The 2023 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup champion has enjoyed a smooth transition from tendon injury recovery and rehabilitation to race day return.

Trainer Sam Freedman said Without A Fight had “ticked all the boxes” ahead of Saturday’s race.

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“It’s been a slow build up but he’s come back really well,” Freedman said.

“He seems forward enough to run well, obviously cannot simulate race day, I’m sure he’ll come on from the run but he’s ticked every box and done everything right to be there.”

Without A Fight has completed two jumpouts and a gallop between races at Mornington last week in preparation for Saturday.

Without A Fight is a $9.50 third favourite with Ladbrokes for the Champions Stakes behind Chris Waller-trained Group 1 mares Via Sistina ($1.60) and Atishu ($8.50).

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“It’s hard to have any expectation, but as long as he’s running on and hitting the line, that will I suppose give us some confidence that we can step him out to mile-and-a-half and to Hong Kong,” Freedman said.

“There’s no finishing position that we want, just as long as he’s hitting the line.”

Without A Fight is slated for the Hong Kong Vase (2400m) on December 8.

“There’s no pressure, he owes everyone nothing,” Freedman said.

“Hopefully runs well (Saturday), returns well, and all being well we get to Hong Kong.”

Multiple Cups-winning jockey Mark Zahra partnered Without A Fight in the recent jumpouts and track gallop.

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“I couldn’t fault his action, it seems really good,” Zahra said.

“The big test will be under pressure on race day, so far so good, we’re all pretty happy.

“The horse seems happy, pretty relaxed this time compared to last year anyway, his first trial was sharp, his second one he probably needed, blew out the last little bit.

“You can’t see him beating Via Sistina first up but I expect him to run well, as long as he’s hitting the line we’ll be happy.

“He’s going to be back and rest and hit the line hard – as long as he can do that, I think, with Hong Kong in mind, that’s the main aim.”

Originally published as ‘Ticked all the boxes’: 2023 Cup champ Without A Fight ready for Via Sistina showdown in 2024 Champions Stakes at Flemington