Small field for Makybe Diva Stakes 2023
The Makybe Diva Stakes may not be the Grand Final for trainers in their preparations for the spring, but it is still a pivotal race in determining spring fortunes.
The 1600m Group 1 contest at Flemington on Saturday invariably sheds a light on those that are progressing well and those that may need a little more.
Saturday’s weight-for-age contest has brought together a field of seven quality horses.
Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood renew hostilities after the former won the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 2 with ‘The Blood’ finishing fourth.
Alligator Blood will be second-up on Saturday and will appreciate the step up to 1600m while the Lindsay Park camp of Ben, Will and J D Hayes, along with jockey Craig Williams, believe Mr Brightside is possibly the best miler in Australia.
Both have drawn nicely in barriers two (Mr Brightside) and four (Alligator Blood).
Spanish Mission (barrier 6) returns after 12 months on the sidelines after a tendon injury while Aegon (gate 5) was an eye-catching first-up third in the Group 1 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 19 before running ninth in Memsie Stakes.
The remaining three runners are all trained by Chris Waller – Francesco Guardi (gate 3), Osipenko (1) and Princess Grace (7).
Waller, who is yet to claim victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes, had a change of plans for Francesco Guardi after the gelding was scratched from the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last week after drawing wide.
Francesco Guardi finished a first-up tenth in the Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick last month before being sent to Melbourne with the Feehan in mind.
Osipenko has had two runs for the campaign, finishing fifth in the Winx Stakes before running seventh in the Memsie.
“His last run was OK, but a mile will suit him better,” Waller said.
Waller said the form surrounding Princess Grace was strong after running a first-up second to stablemate Fangirl in the Winx Stakes before an unlucky second with Blake Shinn aboard, who has the ride again, in the Memsie Stakes.
“She’s running very well,” Waller said.
“Blake said if a couple of things could have gone her way, she would have made it really close for Mr Brightside.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...