Grahame Begg hoping for knockout Makybe Diva Stakes blow

The Makybe Diva Stakes which will be run at Flemington on Saturday has over the years thrown up a surprise winner.

Since being afforded Group 1 status in 2013, there have been four winners that have started at double figure odds.

Foreteller started the ball rolling in 2013 at $15 and was followed by Humidor ($17 in 2017), Grunt ($12 in 2018) and Gatting ($101 in 2019).

The last two winners Fierce Impact (2020) and Incentivise (2021) started $4 and $3.90 respectively.

Grahame Begg is hoping it is the time for another ‘longshot victory’ when he saddles Nonconformist in the Group 1 contest that has drawn a field of eight.

Nonconformist was a $31 chance with TAB in early betting following Wednesday’s barrier draw.

Runner-up to Incentivise in last year’s Caulfield Cup, Begg has Nonconformist headed towards that Group 1 race again on October 15.

Nonconformist had his first start since last year’s Caulfield Cup finishing eighth in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 27.

“He ticked the box first-up,” Begg said.

“He got to the races, got through the race safely and it was a pass mark.

“It was a sit and sprint race, which it was always going to be, and he was going to be up against it over the 1400 metres around Caulfield.

“He held his position and once he got to the outside in the last 150 metres, he started to lengthen nicely and that’s what I wanted to see.”

Begg said Nonconformist had ‘ticked over well’ since his first-up run and was one of the first horses out for a gallop at Cranbourne on Tuesday morning.

“He did a nice piece of work,” Begg said.

“The track was heavy, but it was the best we could do. He was out there at 4.30 on the best ground we could get for him.

“The bigger Flemington track and the 1600 metres on Saturday is perfect for him. If he’s hitting the line well again, he ticks another box, and we’ll be happy.”