A small but high class field will assemble for this Saturday’s G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
Formerly run as the Craiglee Stakes, the feature event was renamed in honour of the great mare in 2007, despite the fact that she never actually won the race.
Run over the mile, the time honoured event now carries a prize pool of $750k and last start winner and current Ladbrokes Cox Plate favourite, Via Sistina heads the betting.
For our thoughts on every horse, you can find our race preview below. (Prices current at time of publish)
1. Mr Brightside (4)
Price: $3.10
He’s one of the country’s most popular gallopers and he’s also one of the most consistent.
A winner of sixteen races, the seven year old son of Bullbars proved superior in this race last year, letting down strongly over the final part to score by a length and a half and extend his winning streak to five.
He kicked off his campaign a fortnight ago in the Memsie Stakes and taking nothing away from Pinstriped, he just looked to peak on his run late.
With that run under his belt he strips fitter here, he’s got a terrific record over the mile and barrier four will see him afforded every chance under regular rider Craig Williams.
2. Pinstriped (8)
Price: $8.50
Pinstriped comes off a career best performance to post his first win at the elite level.
The Street Boss gelding travelled beautifully under Ben Allen and when the pressure went on in the straight, he found plenty, despite wanting to lay in, and was able to get the better of Mr Brightside in the Memsie Stakes.
A multiple stakes winner, he’s continued to perform well at a high level and the fact that he’s still doing a few things wrong suggests there’s room for improvement.
Enver Jusufovic has the six year old in peak order and as a three time winner over the mile, he’s sure to make his presence felt.
3. Circle of Fire (2)
Price: $91.00
Circle Of Fire kicks off his cups campaign and has been placed in two of three first up appearances.
Only lightly raced, the UK import has just had the one Australian preparation and it didn’t him long to get his name up in lights as he made it back to wins taking out the Chairman’s Handicap and the Sydney Cup .
A highly talented entire, he comes here off two solid jump outs and a 1200m trial and whilst he’s likely to find the mile a touch short, he’ll be strong through the line.
4. Antino (6)
Price: $12.00
Antino resumed with a very encouraging performance in the Memsie Stakes and he’ll relish getting out to the mile.
The Queensland visitor is the only runner in the field not to have a group one next to his name but he’s been promising it for some time.
He was only by the barest of margins in the Toorak Handicap last Spring and was unlucky not have won the Crystal Mile and his following start.
He’s won three from four second up but will have to be at his absolute best to get the better of them here.
5. Warmonger (3)
Price: $34.00
Warmonger is another that will launch his spring campaign here.
The four year old headed to the paddock for a well earned break after a demolition job in the Queensland Derby.
Eased down to post a 10.4 length margin on the line in the honoured feature, the son of War Decree rose to a whole new level.
Whilst he’d always shown a touch of class he was still doing a lot wrong and there looks to plenty of improvement to come from the lightly raced gelding as he gets out over further.
He did win his maiden over 1500m but at this level, he’s unlikely to trouble them.
6. Pride Of Jenni (7)
Price: $7.00
Pride of Jenni has made a vast rise through the ranks over the past 12 months and her win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes back in April was one that will be talked about for generations.
After some very pleasing jump outs leading into her return in the Memsie Stakes, the Pride of Dubai mare was well supported but was unable to quicken when the pressure went on.
A post race vet exam failed to reveal any obvious issue and Declan Bates stated that she felt like she was just looking for further.
I’m reluctant to write off a mare of her class on one average run and a much improved performance here certainly wouldn’t surprise.
She boasts a terrific second up record and has won two from three here at headquarters.
It’ll be interesting to see if Declan Bates puts his foot on the gas and give them something to catch now that she’s got that run under her belt.
7. Atishu (5)
Price: $15.00
Atishu only looked to be warming up late when resuming in the Winx Stakes and she will have taken plenty of improvement from the outing.
A dual Group One winning mare, having been successful in the Queen Of The Turf and the Mackinnon Stakes, she’s not short of class and will appreciate getting out over more ground.
She does race well second up but it’s hard to see her turning the tables of Via Sistina.
Look for an improved showing but I think she’ll be better over even further this preparation.
8. Via Vistina (1)
Price: $2.35
Via Sistina has recorded two Group One victories and a second placing from her three Australian starts and there looks to bigger and better things ahead for this highly talented mare.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock kicked off her career in the UK and headed down under with an enviable record and unlike many imports, she wasted no time adding to that.
Her first up run in the Winx Stakes was full of merit as she settled well back and charged through along the inside to get the better of stablemates, Zougotcha and Fangirl.
It was only her second start over 1400m and her record suggests she’s set to improve as she gets out over more ground.
James McDonald makes the trip to Melbourne to partner her and she’s proven herself extremely versatile, so I don’t think she’ll have any issue at her first go around Flemington.
Selections:
1st – Via Sistina
2nd – Pride Of Jenni
3rd – Mr Brightside
4th – Pinstriped