The Makybe Diva Stakes headlines an impressive program at Flemington on Saturday, and what the field lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality.
Just six horses make up the Makybe Diva field, but with names like Mr Brightside, Via Sistina and Aeliana figuring amongst this, it looms as another incredible contest.
You can find our complete Flemington tip sheet below.
Stoli Bolli settled off the pace and worked home well to finish a length third at The Valley when resuming last month and produced a similar performance behind an impressive Red Hot Nicc last time out. Having finished sixth in a Coolmore Stud Stakes down the Flemington straight previously, he gets plenty of ticks this week.
| 7. Stoli Bolli (18) J: James McDonald 58.5kg x0x32T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
McGaw was unbeaten in two starts during his debut preparation, including the lucrative Inglis Millennium, while he was doing his best work through the line when second in the McNeil Stakes when resuming. This will be his first look at the Flemington straight but assuming he handles it, he strips fitter and is certainly up to the class of something like this.
| 5. Mcgaw (5) J: Damian Lane 57kg 11×2T: Emma-Lee & David Browne |
Vinrock enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence during an unbeaten two-year-old preparation that peaked with victory in the Group 1 Inglis Sires. While he did suffer his first defeat when third in the McNeil Stakes when resuming this time, natural improvement and getting out to his pet trip this week are big ticks.
| 1. Vinrock (11) J: Mark Zahra 59.5kg 111×4T: Matt Laurie |
My Gladiola debuted to racing for instant success during her two-year-old campaign earlier this year, while she produced an eye-catching turn of foot to finish less than half a length behind the winner when resuming. She’s been kept up to the mark with a slick trial since that race and looks well placed to go one better on Saturday.
| 2. My Gladiola (18) J: Jamie Mott 58.5kg 128×2T: John McArdle |
Pop Award won each of three starts last time in and picked up where she left off with consecutive victories at Caulfield, including the Regal Roller Stakes, first and second up this time. She finished three lengths third behind the likes of Magic Time in the Cockram Stakes last time out, but the rise in trip this week looks suitable, and I am happy to give her another chance.
| 6. Pop Award (11) J: Matt Cartwright 54kg 1×117T: Lyn Tolson & Leonie Proctor |
While he is yet to record a victory this time in, Arkansaw Kid has been good in finishing the runner up in both the Regal Roller and The Heath 1100 so far. Last spring, his preparation peaked with victory in this very race, and he found form around some quality individuals, while a credible sixth placing in a Newmarket Handicap here in autumn suggests he’s at his best down the Flemington straight.
| 4. Arkansaw Kid (2) J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg x6x22T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
Revelare dusted off the cobwebs when finishing seventh in BM100 fresh from a break, but he enjoyed plenty of improvement into an eye-catching victory when getting out to 2000m most recently. He is unbeaten here at Flemington and will relish another rise in trip, and this is a great opportunity for him to claim ballot-free exemption into the Melbourne Cup.
| 4. Revelare (10) J: Declan Bates 55.5kg 11×71T: Robert Hickmott |
You don’t need me to rattle off her incredible record again but plainly, Via Sistina is the best horse currently in work in Australia, and she turned in another excellent performance to win the Winx Stakes first up from a spell. I’m confident she’ll only improve for that effort, getting out to 1600m at Flemington suits and she boasts a strong second-up record to boot. Toss in James McDonald and I just cannot find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
| 5. Via Sistina (2) J: James McDonald 57kg 111×1T: Chris Waller |
Lazzura has always been an above-average galloper, and she produced a typically competitive campaign through the autumn this year, winning a Phar Lap Stakes before ending her prep fourth in the Queen Of The Turf. She did it quite easily in the Show County Quality up in Sydney last month and with natural improvement and getting back into mares’ company this week, she’s another one whom I’m confident can go on with it.
| 3. Lazzura (6) J: James McDonald 57.5kg 124×1T: Chris Waller |
Globe has raced consistently through twelve career starts so far, winning five times and finding form around some credible opposition. He co-led on a hot tempo at The Valley when resuming before ultimately finishing less than half a length second, and he’s yet to finish worse than second at this point of his preparation.
| 4. Globe (2) J: Mark Zahra 59kg 3x0x2T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
Best – Race 8 No. 5 Via Sistina
Next Best – Race 9 No. 3 Lazzura
Value – Race 2 No. 5 McGaw