For the first time this season, Group 1 racing returns to Flemington and we are set for another stunning edition of the Makybe Diva Stakes!
An all-star cast will assemble for the $750K feature, with the likes of Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni and Pinstriped to be joined by Antino, Via Sistina and Warmonger, and the Makybe Diva Stakes really could prove to be one of the Spring Carnival’s best races.
You can find my selections for that race and the other nine on 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes Day below.
Race 1 - 12:10pm
Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m)
Quality race to kick off Makybe Diva Day but I am going to stick with Baraqiel.
Baraqiel won each of his first four career starts, including a decent BM84 race at Caulfield back in June before finishing third behind Mr Exclusive here at HQ in July.
He’s been freshened since that effort and can bounce back this week.
1 Unit E/W Baraqiel
Race 2 - 12:40pm
Listed Exford Plate (1400m)
Wonder Boy looks to have a bright future, and the Exford Plate is a nice black type target for him.
The Cosmic Force gelding won on debut here back in June and went for a short break, and he has finished third in the Vain Stakes and second in the McNeil Stakes since returning.
He’s in peak order this week and 1400m at HQ looks perfect.
3 Units Wonder Boy
Race 3 - 1:15pm
Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m)
More than happy to stick with Bold Bastille when she goes around in the Cap D’Antibes second-up from a spell.
Bold Bastille was sent off a $3.30 chance around the horses in the Carlyon Stakes first-up this time but ultimately finished a length and a half fourth behind subsequent Group 1 winner, Mornington Glory.
This filly won her only other second-up start and with natural improvement and getting back to her own age group, I think she’s beautifully placed this week.
4 Units Bold Bastille
Race 4 - 1:50pm
Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m)
The talented Growing Empire goes around again in the Poseidon Stakes on Saturday and has opened a $1.75 favourite in betting.
Growing Empire ended his debut prep with consecutive wins in the Listed St Albans Stakes and Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes, and he picked up where he left off with an eye-catching win in the Group 3 McNeil a fortnight ago.
I think he’ll win again, but he is too short for me at that price, so I am instead going to select him as the winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with High Octane running into the first three.
Same Race Multi selections:
- No. 1 Growing Empire (Win)
- No. 4 High Octane (Top 3)
Race 5 - 2:30pm
Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m)
Some outstanding stayers engaged in this edition of the Lexus Archer Stakes and I am going to give Berkshire Breeze the chance to bounce back.
Berkshire Breeze won three races in succession through May, June and July, peaking in the Banjo Paterson Final here at HQ, but he was a beaten favourite here last time out.
I like that his runs are still being spaced, we know he loves it here at Flemington and with only 54kgs in tow, he should receive every chance again in the Melbourne Cup ballot exempt offering race.
3 Units Berkshire Breeze
Race 6 - 3:05pm
Listed Vale Black Caviar (1400m)
I’m keen to give Bandersnatch a chance to win third-up from a spell this weekend.
Bandersnatch finished fourth, beaten just over a length and a half by Arkansaw Kid in the Regal Roller first-up from a break and was last seen finishing sixth in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.
He will need some luck in running from a wider draw but should receive his chance on the big Flemington track, while this is clearly a big drop in class.
1 Unit E/W Bandersnatch
Race 7 - 3:40pm
Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m)
South Australian raider See You In Heaven looks well placed in the Let’s Elope Stakes, in my opinion.
See You In Heaven returned to action to win the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes down at Morphettville last month and was last seen finishing fourth in the Leon Macdonald.
Fitter third-up, the booking of Jamie Kah this week enhances her chances and the $7 about her at publish looks a touch of overs, in my opinion.
2 Units E/W See You In Heaven
Race 8 - 4:20pm
Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m)
Just eight horses will contest the Makybe Diva Stakes but what this field lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality.
Every single horse is a good one, they all have genuine claims on majors this Spring Carnival and it shapes as one of the standouts of the season, in my opinion.
Mr Brightside was only just denied in his first run back and he’s going to be the one for me.
The multiple Group 1 champion just does not know how to run a bad race, Willo sticks from a good draw and with even luck in running, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
2 Units Mr Brightside
Race 9 - 4:55pm
Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m)
This is a quality edition of the Bobbie Lewis, but also a perfect race for the classy Sans Doute.
Sans Doute enjoyed something of a meteoric rise to prominence last time in, winning four races in succession, all down the straight here at Flemington and peaking with the Bob Hoysted at Listed level.
She returned to action with a sharp turn of foot to fill the minors of the Carlyon Stakes at The Valley and we know that form has been franked, while there’s also little down that this mare finds her best here at HQ.
2 Units Sans Doute
Race 10 - 5:25pm
Ronald McDonald House Charities Trophy (1700m)
Positivity turned in a fine performance in Listed company when resuming and can win the last on Makybe Diva Stakes.
The Almanzor mare was a black type winner over in her native New Zealand and only just missed in the NZ Oaks, while I thought her first run back this time hinted at improvement.
She strips fitter and this is a weaker race.
4 Units Positivity