Almanac Horseracing: Makybe Diva Stakes Day – Flemington, 13 September 2025

 

Makybe Diva, what a champion race horse, and fittingly a member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. The only horse to win the three Melbourne Cups (2003, 2004 and 2005) and the only mare to win the race more than once. She also won the 2005 Cox Plate with a run that had to be seen to be believed. Six to seven wide along the side of the course and into the straight, after coming from well back in the field, she proved too good under hands and heels riding from jockey, Glen Boss.

 

Makybe Diva was retired after winning the 2005 Melbourne Cup with a race record of 36 starts for 15 wins and 7 placings, and $14,526,685 in prizemoney earnings.

 

This race, re-named in Makybe Diva’s honour in 2007, was previously known as the Craiglee Stakes and is run over 1600m. Its been won by some very good horses including Dulcify in 1979, Mahogany in 1994, Northerly in 2002 and Mr Brightside for the last two years.

 

Unfortunately, this year’s renewal has only drawn together six runners but its sure to be a very interesting race. Imported mare, 5 Via Sistina, is the current star of Australian racing, having won the Group 1 Cox Plate in the spring 2024 and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the autumn of 2025. Her record is 14 wins and 7 placings from 25 starts. She’s won 9 of her twelve starts in Australia, and all have been at Group 1 level. She’s a winner at the course; however, she did run fifth in this race last year on a Heavy 9 track. The track conditions this year will be much more suitable and the early interest in the race will be whether jockey, James McDonald, can keep her from getting locked away on the rail. Her hardest to beat will be stablemate, 6 Aeliana, a dual Group 1 winner to be ridden by Damian Lane. Aeliana has won at the course and over this distance and was very good first up behind in Via Sistina, although they both did get a good inside run through the field on the home turn and into the straight. Aeliana is my early Caulfield Cup tip, and I expect her to run very well and test Via Sistina here. The ever reliable 1 Mr Brightside goes in for third. He showed with his first up run behind Treasurethe Moment that he’s still got plenty to give at this level and 3 Antino with the race fitness on his side goes in ahead of 2 Tom Kitten.

 

 

5 Via Sistina – 6 Aeliana – 1 Mr Brightside – 3 Antino

 

 

Best Bet:

 

The Chris Waller team is out in force at both Rosehill and Flemington and I’m keen on 3 Lazzura in race 9 at Flemington. This is a good race, but Lazzura has form around Autumn Glow, Lady Shenandoah, Fangirl and Stefi Magnetica and that’s good enough to win this. She has race fitness, the 1400m here suits, she’s drawn well, will race on pace and with the services of James McDonald will be too good.

 

 

Best Value:

 

Flemington race 7 – 7 Mormona. An imported gelding in the Annabel and Rob Archibald stable, he was a good winner here over 2800m two starts back before being six weeks between runs when third to the very progressive Revelare at Caulfield over 2000m, beaten a neck and a long head. Mormona had the fastest last 200m split in that race and meets Revelare 1kg better here. The step up to 2400m will suit, although I would prefer him over further again, and I’m happy to take the odds about him each way in this race.

 

 

Gamble Responsibly. Chances are you’re about to lose.

 

 

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