With one eye on the first Tuesday of November, Group 1 action returns to Flemington for the first time this season on Saturday!
The Makybe Diva Stakes has drawn a mouth-watering field of milers, but all ten races boast strong acceptances, and we’re set for an excellent betting program at HQ.
Read on for my for Flemington best bets, including my 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes tips.
There’s a case to be made for all six horses engaged in the first on Makybe Diva Stakes Day, but I thought it was a great opportunity for MOBY DICK (4) to strike.
Moby Dick doesn’t win out of turn, but his two most recent performances have suggested another victory isn’t far away, and he has run on well from off the pace on both occasions.
Given the size of this field, I’m not expecting him to be too far away, and he has generally found his best form on the big Flemington deck.
| 4. Moby Dick (4) J: Jamie Mott 58kg 84043T: Gavin Bedggood | |||
| Last start 3rd of 7 in a Bm88 at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1300m, on heavy track; 2.5 len behind Gold Coast Belle carrying 56kg at $13. The start before that 4th of 11 in a Bm78 at this track on August 1 over 1100m, 1.5 len behind Just Like Gaby carrying 59.5kg at $10. Going well but just prefer on wet ground. | |||
The day’s first black type sees a capacity and smart field of three-year-olds step out over 1400m including UNIT FIVE (13), who is second up and open to plenty of improvement.
Unit Five was excellent during his two-year-old prep, winning the Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast most notably, while he dusted off the cobwebs when only just missing behind American Eagle in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes a fortnight ago.
Second up and further out in trip, something like this looks well within his means.
| 3. Unit Five (13) J: Thomas Stockdale 58kg 110×2T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months came from midfield; 2nd of 10 in the G3 HDF McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1200m, slow going head behind American Eagle carrying 58kg at $5.50. Previously second-up won by 1.1 len in the LR Magic Millions 2yo Classic at Gold Coast on January 17 over 1200m defeating Tornado Valley carrying 57kg at $8. Big run fresh, will take holding out. | |||
SATONO GLOW (14) returns to action in the Cap D’Antibes.
She only made three appearances at the races during her debut preparation, but Satono Glow stamped herself as one to follow by winning twice, including the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes here at HQ.
Having gone to the paddock after finishing on the placegetters’ heels in the Percy Sykes, she’s had the benefit of a couple of trials and importantly, is proven down the straight.
| 2. Satono Glow (14) J: Jamie Melham 58.5kg 114xT: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign fourth of 9 at Randwick in the G2 Percysykes April 11 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Cherry Bomshell with 57kg at $5. At her first start won by 0.5 len Warwick Farm 2yo F Mdn March 11 over 1000m slow track defeating Aryaam carrying 58kg at $5. Has plenty of ability and proven here, wary. | |||
The same race but for the colts and geldings, the Poseidon Stakes field also runs deep with talent, including PARADOXIUM (3).
We haven’t seen Paradoxium at the races since April, but he too stamped himself as one to follow during a two-year-old season highlighted by wins in the Wyong Magic Millions race and the Group 2 Todman Stakes.
A couple of recent trial performances add further confidence and with one eye on some Group 1 races further into the carnival, I’m confident he can hit the ground running.
| 1. Paradoxium (3) J: Jason Collett 58.5kg x106xT: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign sixth of 13 at Randwick in the G1 Sires Prod April 4 over 1400m, soft track; 7 len behind Campione D’italia with 56.5kg at $8. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.4 len Randwick G2 Todman March 7 over 1200m defeating Stretan Ruler with 56.5kg at $2.60. Fast 2yo who looks to have come back well, takes catching. | |||
Ballot free entry into the 2026 Melbourne Cup field goes on the line and I am keen to have something on THINK GIANT (4) in the Lexus Archer Stakes.
Think Giant is yet to strike in three runs since arriving in Australia, but the former German stayer has undoubtedly improved with each and has finished on the placegetters’ heels at each of his last two.
Stepping out this week in peak order and getting further out in trip, he’ll carry only 54kgs and gets the services of Jamie Melham this week.
| 9. Think Giant (4) J: Jamie Melham 54kg 5×744T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 4th of 10 in a Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 2400m, on heavy track; 4 len behind Nearco Frod carrying 53kg at $3.90. The run before that came from midfield; 4th of 13 in a Bm100 at this track on July 18 over 2000m, slow going 2 len behind Saint George carrying 53kg at $4.60. Going okay, a faster tempo and drier track could suit now. | |||
This looks another perfect race for the third-up SASS APPEAL (4).
Having won four consecutive races at the end of her autumn prep, including both the Desirable Stakes the Kewney Stakes here at Flemington, Sass Appeal picked up where she left off with a smart performance to strike in BM100 company last month.
While she was a little flat second up when beaten more than three lengths at Caulfield, she’ll undoubtedly improve for that effort and getting back to HQ on Saturday.
| 8. Sass Appeal (4) J: Logan Bates 54kg 11×14T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up favourite; won by 0.8 len in a Bm100 at this track on August 1 over 1410m defeating Rise At Dawn carrying 51.5kg at $1.45. Second run from a spell sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 12 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Fancify with 54.5kg at $2.15. Costly latest but gets conditions to bounce back strongly here. | |||
OLIVEANOTHERDAY (7) faces another rise in class into the Bobbie Lewis Quality field, but it looks the next logical step for him to take.
He was outstanding last time in, but the manner of Oliveanotherday’s first up performance and victory in Group 3 company at Caulfield a fortnight ago suggested he’s only improved this season.
Stripping fitter and getting back onto the big track at HQ, bad luck looks to be his only real rival in this contest.
| 5. Oliveanotherday (7) J: Harry Coffey 57kg 111×1T: Tom Dabernig | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.5 len in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1100m in soft going defeating Bridal Waltz with 58kg at $2.30. Previously second-up favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win in a 3yo Bm66 at Caulfield Heath on March 18 over 1200m defeating Hotspur Reale with 60.5kg at $1.40. Big chance to add to the picket fence. Very exciting sprinter who should be taking care of these again. | |||
The Makybe Diva Stakes field is dripping with talent in 2026, but SHEZA ALIBI (7) has opened a firm and fitting favourite, and I am happy to have her on top.
She went to another level in the autumn, capping an unbeaten preparation with a dominant victory in the Doncaster Mile.
While she did suffer defeat in her first run back this time, she was still good through the line behind Autumn Glow and will undoubtedly improve for that run, and getting back out to the mile.
I’m going to select her as my winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with both MR BRIGHTSIDE (2) and AUTUMN BOY (5) running into the first four.
Mr Brightside has won each of the last three editions of the Makybe Diva Stakes and steps out second up after finishing second in the Memsie Stakes, while Autumn Boy will relish getting out to the mile second up and looks the value in Makybe Diva Stakes betting, in my opinion.
Same Race Multi selections:
- To Win – No. 12 Sheza Alibi
- Top 4 – No. 1 Mr Brightside
- Top 4 – No. 8 Autumn Boy
| 1. Mr Brightside (2) J: Blake Shinn 59kg 125×2T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Second run back. First-up after 10 months sat on the pace when 2nd of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Beiwacht with 59kg at $21. Previously second-up won by 1.5 len in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 13 over 1600m defeating Aeliana with 59kg at $5. Going for the four-peat in this race and was brave as ever fresh. | |||
| 8. Autumn Boy (5) J: Mark Zahra 58.5kg 212×8T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months 8th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 5 len behind Beiwacht with 58.5kg at $9. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 in the G1 Randwick Guineas on March 7 over 1600m, 3 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 56.5kg at $3.60. Fair effort fresh, can improve up in trip but place best. | |||
| 12. Sheza Alibi (7) J: Luke Nolen 56.5kg 111×2T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 56.5kg at $3.50. Previously second-up scored a big 3 len win in the G1 Randwick Guineas on March 7 over 1600m defeating Autumn Boy with 54.5kg at $2.10. Great return, she’ll relish a mile here and is clearly the one to beat. | |||
This is an open edition of the Let’s Elope Stakes and I thought that COEUR VOLANTE (2) rated as a key winning chance at nice odds ($9 at publish).
Coeur Volante won three races in succession during the winter, finishing less than two lengths behind Sass Appeal over this route two back, while she was far from disgraced in the Group 2 PB Lawrence last time out.
Having been kept up to the mark with a trial since that race, she gets back into mares’ company and drops in the weights this week, while Ethan Brown can have her in a nice position in the run from a low draw before calling for an extra effort.
| 5. Coeur Volante (2) J: Ethan Brown 55kg 11147T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Last start 7th of 11 in the G2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $12. The start before that 4th in a small field in a Bm100 at this track on August 1 over 1410m, 2 len behind Sass Appeal carrying 60kg at $9. Been up a long time but this suits better. | |||
JUSTADEEL (4) is third up and ready to win when he steps out in the last on Makybe Diva Stakes Day.
The Dundeel gelding worked home to finish just over a length and a half behind the winner over 1300m at Rosehill when resuming last month, while he was last seen producing a similar performance at Sandown three weeks ago.
Fitter third-up and further out in trip, he’s drawn well under Jamie Melham and boasts an ability edge over a number of these rivals.
| 9. Justadeel (4) J: Jamie Melham 54.5kg 20×44T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th of 11 in a Bm94 at Rosehill on August 1 over 1300m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Carbonados carrying 59kg at $6.50. Second-up 4th in a small field in a Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1500m, on heavy track; 2.5 len behind Freedom Rally carrying 55kg at $3.40. Up in trip now third up, sets up nicely from the gate. | |||