Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight to miss the autumn carnival

A tendon injury will see Cups double king Without A Fight miss the autumn carnival in a major blow to the Sam and Anthony Freedman stable.

The hope is that the gun import will be fit and firing in time to defend his 2023 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup victories.

"The stable advise that Without A Fight has sustained a minor tendon strain which will require a period of rehabilitation and prevent him from racing in the autumn of next year," the Freedman stable said in a statement released on Friday evening.

"As is always the case at Freedman Racing, the welfare of the horses in our care is the absolute priority.

"As such, we are taking a cautious approach with Without A Fight following his hugely exciting Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double.

"This development is disappointing for everyone involved in Freedman Racing and for his owner Sheik Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum.

"We will now turn our efforts to providing the best care available to ensure he makes a full recovery and returns to racing in 2024," the statement concluded.

What a performance! It's Lexus Melbourne Cup Glory for Without A Fight and Mark Zahra! pic.twitter.com/SbDQmDb33Z

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 7, 2023

Racing fans will be hoping Without A Fight's recovery from a tendon issue is more successful than brilliant 2021 Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise's, who never made it back to the track after pulling up sore following his second to Verry Elleegant in the Melbourne Cup.

Soulcombe and Without A Fight share the top line of betting at $13 with TAB for the 2024 Melbourne Cup.