Melbourne Cup: NZ punters win big on Without A Fight at Flemington

One bettor at the NZ TAB had earlier placed a $10,000 bet on the winning horse at the fixed-odds price of $7.50, to return $75,000.

The Caulfield Cup winner last month also attracted big bets of $5500 at $9 (to return $49,500) and $5000 at $9 (to return $45,000) before storming away from the field in the 3200m race at Flemington.

The former Irish galloper was ridden by Mark Zahra, who also guided Gold Trip to victory in the race last year. Gold Trip finished 17th on Tuesday.

The third favourite timed its run beautifully to win by 2 ¼ lengths from Soulcombe, with Sheraz third – the two place-getters both trained by Sydney-based Kiwi trainer Chris Waller.

Without A Fight, trained by Anthony Freedman and his son Sam from the famous Australian racing family, became the first horse since Kiwi-trained Ethereal in 2001 to do the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double in the same year.

The trifecta paid a handsome $11,739.00, while successfully selecting the first four finishers paid a whopping $332,291.10 for a dollar invested.