Of the 15 nominations for the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, champion trainer Chris Waller has a third.
Aeliana, Autumn Boy, Birdman, Buckaroo and Ohope Wins have been entered with barrier draws and race shape to eventually determine if all take their place.
Waller has won the Makybe Diva just once previously, in 2014 with Foreteller, but has used the weight-for-age contest as part of spring plans with his team.
Via Sistina, victorious in the past two runnings of the Cox Plate, contested the Makybe Diva on both occasions, finishing fifth in 2024 before running third last year, both times behind Mr Brightside who will be shooting for a fourth consecutive win in the race.
Waller was at Flemington on Tuesday morning to watch Autumn Boy, Birdman, Buckaroo and Ohope Wins go through their paces while Aeliana worked in Sydney and will head to Melbourne during the week.
The rise in distance is expected to be a better fit for Aeliana after her first-up run in the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22.
“She raced a little bit flat but sectional times suggest they went a little bit quicker than what she was comfortable with and got a bit tired late, although Nash Rawiller said her last 200 metres was fine,” Waller said.
“Based on what he said and her recovery, I’m happy with her and I think she will appreciate the mile and the nice big open spaces at Flemington.
“She was going well into her first-up run, so there has been no change.”
With his liking for the distance, being a Caulfield Guineas winner, Waller said Autumn Boy was possibly the ‘top seed’ going into Saturday’s race after finishing eighth in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield first-up.
“He’s fitter for the run and physically he looks a little bit tighter which is how I want him to look,” Waller said.
“He’s a good miler. He’s a Guineas winner and James (McDonald) was happy with his first-up run when he didn’t get a lot of luck over the last 200 metres at Caulfield, and it’s an important race for a colt.”
Waller said either Buckaroo or Birdman could be reserved for the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday week.
Buckaroo won the Underwood in 2024 and chased Sir Delius home last year.
Both ran in the Memsie Stakes first-up, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
“They got home well, they came through it well and the mile will suit better,” Waller said.
“We may split one of them up with the Underwood the following week.
“Buckaroo has won that before, and Birdman runs well at Caulfield, so we’ll see how they’ve drawn, what the race is like and then see which one might be held back.”
Australian Oaks winner Ohope Wins has had one run back, finishing at the tail of the field in the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 15.
Waller said the rise in trip and bigger track will suit.
“We won’t see her best until she gets to 2000 metres, but it is an important stepping stone for a race like the Turnbull.”
Waller said the Group 1 contest will be an enthralling race.
“Sheza Alibi had a tough run first-up in Sydney and I’m sure she has come on and Sir Delius, I’ve been keeping an eye on him up in Sydney,” Waller said.
“Mr Brightside was awesome first-up and along with a few of ours, it will be a great race.”
