The Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington is a race that can shape the spring.
The Group 1 race over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday attained Group 1 status in 2013 with horses of the calibre of Fawkner (2015), Humidor (2017), Incentivise (2021), I’m Thunderstruck (2022) and Mr Brightside last year being successful.
Going back further when run as a Group 2 race, horses like Sky Heights (1999), Northerly (2022), Weekend Hussler (2008) and Shocking (2010) were successful.
Only eight runners will face the starter on Saturday, but all eight will be out to stamp their mark early in the Spring Carnival while also showing connections they are heading in the right direction ahead of bigger targets.
The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and J D Hayes are expecting Mr Brightside to put his mark on Saturday’s race, just as he did in winning last year’s edition.
Mr Brightside defeated Alligator Blood in winning last year, racing third-up which followed a victory in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the start prior.
The Hayes brothers decided on a different program this year, bypassing a first-up run in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m), a race he won last year, electing to go first-up into the Memsie.
Pinstriped, an opponent again on Saturday, had the better of Mr Brightside in the Memsie Stakes, but the Lindsay Park boys are confident of their gelding’s ability to improve second-up.
Mr Brightside has finished out of the placings just once in six outings second-up, winning on four occasions and finishing second once.
“He came through that first-up run excellently, and he’s right on track to head back to Flemington,” Ben Hayes said.
“He went into the race first-up not quite ready to go. He’s got natural improvement out of the race, and we have noticed that he has tightened up since the run.
“As we have seen in every other prep, he has improved into his prep, and we expect that to be the same again on Saturday.
“I’m very confident about the Mr B’s chances.”
Mr Brightside draw barrier four in the eight-horse field and will again be ridden by Craig Williams.
Pinstriped drew widest in gate eight while imported mare Via Sistina, who has James McDonald aboard, has drew the inside barrier.
Pride Of Jenni, who disappointed first-up when finishing fifth in the Memsie Stakes, has gate seven.
