The Makybe Diva Stakes final field for 2026 has been confirmed, and it’s a stellar field for the Group 1 feature this Saturday out of Flemington.
The Makybe Diva Stakes barrier draw had an impact on betting markets, most notably with Sheza Alibi and Autumn Boy getting favourable draws.
Makybe Diva Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
| 12. Sheza Alibi (5) 56.5kg111×2 | |||
| 8. Autumn Boy (3) 58.5kg212×8 | |||
| 7. Another Wil (9) 59kg940×9 | |||
| 4. Sir Delius (7) 59kgx331x | |||
| 11. She’s A Hustler (4) 57kg4355x | |||
| 2. Half Yours (10) 59kg9444x | |||
| 1. Mr Brightside (2) 59kg125×2 | |||
| 3. Light Infantry Man (1) 59kg415×4 | |||
| 13. Ohope Wins (6) 56.5kg141×0 | |||
| 10. Treasurethe Moment (8) 57kg313×4 | |||
| 5. Buckaroo (3)SCRATCHED: | |||
| 6. Birdman (4)SCRATCHED: | |||
| 9. Aeliana (13)SCRATCHED: | |||
Makybe Diva Stakes Barrier Draw Winners & Losers
All the talk will be about Sheza Alibi, who can work wonders from barrier 7. It’s an ideal draw for the mare, who didn’t enjoy being on the inside in Sydney last start before hitting the line with purpose behind Autumn Glow.
She will have time to find a good spot over 1600m, and punters should expect to see her fourth on the outside before unleashing in the straight.
Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from barriers 2-8 have historically shown a higher success rate in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Another winner with the Makybe Diva Stakes barrier draw 2026 is Autumn Boy, who can dictate where he goes in the run from barrier 4. His run at Caulfield last start was only fair, but he was always going to improve with the run under his belt.
Getting the worst of the Makybe Diva Stakes barrier was Aeliena before her early withdrawal and official scratching from the field. With Aeliana out, it is last year’s Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double champion Half Yours with the outside alley (12) to overcome.
Treasurethe Moment and Another Wil have drawn wide, but it won’t worry Treasurethe Moment too much, as she will press forward and find a positive spot. Another Wil could be left in no man’s land, which is why he’s not favoured in betting markets.
What to Expect in the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes
It’s an excellent field for the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes, and it’s a good mix of rising stars and established Group 1 horses.
The likes of Sir Delius, Mr Brightside, and Half Yours have excellent middle-distance form, and they’re as professional as it gets. However, the boom horse is Sheza Alibi, but this is her toughest test.
She took on Autumn Glow last start and ran well, but facing the boys with 56.5kg on her back makes life much harder. That’s the concern with Sheza Alibi, but she’ll get a dream run from the draw.
We expect a soft tempo, which should suit on-speed runners. Don’t be surprised to see the likes of Mr Brightside and Treasurethe Moment give a good kick at the top of the Flemington straight, but Sheza Alibi and Autumn Boy will be warming up late down the outside.
Class might be enough to get Sheza Alibi up, and she’ll carry a lot of betting support on race day.
Makybe Diva Stakes Barrier Draw Facts & Trends
Barriers have played a meaningful role in Makybe Diva Stakes results over the years, with the Flemington mile traditionally favouring runners drawn close to the rail. Historically, gates 1–6 have produced the strongest strike‑rate, reflecting how the long run to the first bend rewards horses able to settle cleanly without doing extra work.
- Barrier 1 is the most recent winning gate, thanks to Mr Brightside’s dominant victory in 2025.
- Four winners between 2004 and 2025 have jumped from double‑digit barriers, most recently Humidor from gate 10 in 2017.
- Barrier 14 is the widest gate to produce a Makybe Diva Stakes winner from 2000–2025, with Littorio scoring from that alley in 2011.
- Barrier 3 is the last to deliver back‑to‑back winners, courtesy of Hug’s Dancer (2004) and Confectioner (2005).
What is the most successful recent Makybe Diva Stakes barrier draw?
Barriers 1 and 6 have both produced four Makybe Diva Stakes winners between 2000 and 2025 most recently Mr Brightside (barrier 1 in 2025) and Grunt (barrier 6 in 2018).
Breakdown of winning Makybe Diva Stakes barriers between 2000-25:
- Barrier 1 – 4 (latest Mr Brightside in 2025)
- Barrier 2 – 3 (latest Mr Brightside in 2023)
- Barrier 3 – 3 (latest Incentivise in 2011)
- Barrier 4 – 2 (latest Mr Brightside in 2024)
- Barrier 5 – 3 (latest Fierce Impact in 2020)
- Barrier 6 – 4 (latest Grunt in 2018)
- Barrier 7 – 0
- Barrier 8 – 2 (latest Gatting in 2019)
- Barrier 9 – 1 (latest Foreteller in 2013)
- Barrier 10 – 1 (latest Humidor in 2017)
- Barrier 11 – 2 (latest Fawkner in 2015)
- Barrier 12 – 0
- Barrier 13 – 0
- Barrier 14 – 1 (latest Littorio in 2011)
