Makybe Diva’s quest for a third Melbourne Cup kicked off with a win in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield in 2005.
A decade later, her three-quarter sister La Amistad begins her Melbourne Cup campaign in Saturday’s Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) on the Memsie program at Caulfield.
La Amistad
From the time La Amistad made her racetrack debut big things have been expected, to the extent she was an early Cup favourite last year.
La Amistad has only produced her best over longer distances and co-trainer Wayne Hawkes isn’t expecting anything different on Saturday.
Whereas Makybe Diva was successful at weight-for-age over 1400m (Memsie Stakes), La Amistad is yet to score short of 2100m.
“She’s more mature now but Makybe Diva had a good turn of foot,” Hawkes said of La Amistad.
“We don’t have the turn of foot so she could start now and she still wouldn’t win.
“She hasn’t done anything until she’s got to a mile-and-a-half and I don’t think anything will change this time around.”
La Amistad hasn’t raced since winning the Andrew Ramsden Stakes in May, the other 3200m race at Flemington apart from the Melbourne Cup.
Hawkes said her trackwork has indicated she had improved, however he said he was waiting until Saturday to get a better guide.
“She spelled really well and it looks like she’s improved, but we won’t know until we get her there and start racing her,” Hawkes said.
“She has to jump a few big hurdles to get to the Cup but she’s on target anyway.”
La Armistad is a $23 outsider for her return run.
Hawkes is hoping Memsie Stakes entry Entirely Platinum can go one better than his autumn first-up second behind Dissident in the Group One Orr Stakes (1400m).
“Group Ones, they don’t give them away,” Hawkes said.
“Group Twos are easier to win but Group Ones are very tough.
“Hopefully he can bring his same form as when he ran second to Dissident and if he does he’ll run well.”
