My Clubs
Start Club
Join Club
News
Makybe Diva Stakes 2016 race preview
09 September 2016 10:41 AM
The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes looks like it will be a cracker on Saturday. Run under weight-for-age conditions over the mile, the race offers connections $500,000 in prize money. Flemington race track is in great nick too, rated a Good 3 this morning with no rain in site.
The 1600m at Flemington starts 150m before the long sweeping turn into the straight. Historical barrier statistics show a slight leaning towards the inside barriers but nothing of significance.
This race has a good mix of seasoned Group 1 performers amongst some of the rising four-year-old stars, creating a an exciting contest for racing fans.
Black Heart Bart was super impressive first-up winning the Memsie in style. Looked like he would gobble up a mile on the day, a distance he has had two cracks at for a third. Shaping-up as a genuine Group 1 champion.
Paletino was not disgraced in the Memsie after coming home well from a backward position. Race speed will be key to his chances here. Looks like it should be true at least. The extra distance suits and has won two from two third-up.
Rising Romance raced well first-up in the Memsie finishing closest to Black Heart Bart. Capable mare and extra distance suits.
Our Ivanhoe looks a bit short on paper but has impressed in his trials leading into this. Was solid first-up last preparation finishing 2.5 lengths away with no luck in the running over 1800m. Good chance.
Tarzino form rates tightly to Palentino in this and had a similar story in the Memsie coming home from a back marker position. Was found to be lame afterwards. Just missed second-up last start over the mile. Contender.
Alpine Eagle wasn't far away in this race last year against the pattern. Did enough in the Memsie. Expect him to improve on that effort. Goes in.
Entirely Platinum was only half a length away in this race last year with a similar lead in to the race. Has trialled again since his third when fresh. Can't dismiss.
He Or She was just okay fresh. Is 2-1-0 from four second-up starts and won three from 5 starts over the distance.
Jacquinot Bay was a hard luck story in the Feehan and almost won the Lawrence the race before that. Won't find this any easier.
Sofia Rosa had good late sectionals in the Memsie starting from the back of the field. Extra distance is suited and pace will be the key to her chances. Like her chances better over longer distances.
Happy Trails resumes as a nine-year-old. Put in a reasonable run first-up last time coming home to finish 2.7 lengths away in the G1 CF Orr. Expect something similar again.
Prince Of Penzance put in some good late splits over 1400m when resuming. Extra ground suits but gets better over longer.
Ayers Rock beat Tivaci a year ago over 1800m in a Listed race. Hasn't fired since.
1st Our Ivanhoe presents as a real value runner here. Expecting him to be even stronger first-up than he was last time after two great trials.
2nd Black Heart Bart is clearly the one to beat.
3rd Palentino. Look for a sharp improvement.
Mike Steward
Check out what Australia's racing media experts think about the race here. All racing media best bets on one page.