Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) has drawn a select field of just six runners, headlined by Via Sistina and James McDonald, who have landed barrier two. The champion mare heads south following stablemate Treasurethe Moment’s withdrawal earlier in the week due to a mild colic scare, and Chris Waller’s 10-time Group 1 winner looks poised to add to her glittering record.
Stablemate Aeliana looms as the biggest danger after running Via Sistina close in the Winx Stakes first-up. She has drawn gate five with Damian Lane to ride. Defending champion Mr Brightside, who has won the past two editions of the Makybe Diva, will start from the inside draw after a solid effort in the Memsie Stakes.
Antino, who endured a luckless run when not far behind in the Memsie, has barrier four, while Mark Twain, a late scratching at Moonee Valley after unseating Jamie Mott, will jump from gate three. Tom Kitten, who misbehaved in the gates last time, has drawn the outside alley of six and will be loaded last with Ben Melham aboard.
With a star-studded yet compact line-up, the Makybe Diva is shaping as a crucial spring pointer, and punters can follow all markets for the race through Australia’s leading betting sites.