The 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes ran on Saturday, September 15, 2025, at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia and was won by the event's first ever three-time hero Mr Brightside ($5)!
Makybe Diva Stakes 2025 Results
| 1. Mr Brightside (1) J: Craig Williams 59kg 120x2 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 6. Aeliana (5) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 421x2 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 5. Via Sistina (2) J: James McDonald 57kg 111x1 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 3. Antino (4) J: Blake Shinn 59kg 011x5 T: Tony Gollan | ||
| 2. Tom Kitten (6) J: Ben Melham 59kg 1573x T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 4. Mark Twain (3) J: Jamie Mott 59kg 231x8 T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood |
Makybe Diva Stakes Info
- 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes Date: Saturday the 13th of September 2025
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Distance: 1,600m
- Conditions: Weight-for-age; 3YOs & Upwards
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (AUD): $750,000
- First Run: 1948
- Reigning Makybe Diva Stakes Winner: Mr Brightside (2023 & 2024 & 2025)
Looking for the latest Makybe Diva Stakes odds, insider racing tips and betting form for the Flemington Group 1? The TAB NZ have all the best stats and info to make informed bets on the Makybe Diva Stakes race this September!
The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes is a crucial early test for Australia’s top middle-distance racehorses as they prepare for the iconic horse racing majors over the spring down under including the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
To improve your chances of predicting the next Makybe Diva Stakes winner, access the latest Makybe Diva Stakes odds and tips online at the TAB NZ.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of spring contenders eyeing runs in events including the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in Australia, our comprehensive Makybe Diva Stakes coverage has everything you need.
See who shines in the Makybe Diva Stakes! Back your star runner this spring with TAB NZ!
Makybe Diva Stakes Fast Facts
- Last mare to win the Makybe Diva Stakes: Southern Speed (2012)
- Last three-year-old to win the Makybe Diva Stakes: Acramitis (1954)
- Last multiple Makybe Diva Stakes winner: Mr Brightside (2023-25)
- Notable Fact: Only three horses have won the Makybe Diva Stakes more than once
Makybe Diva Stakes betting takes place on the popular Makybe Diva Stakes race which is held at Flemington Racecourse on a Saturday in mid-September annually.
Makybe Diva Stakes odds are offered on the esteemed Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Group 1 event, and the field attracts a host of quality middle-distance racehorses heading towards bigger and better features over the coming months.
The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes is one of Australia’s most popular horse races and has been run and won since 1948 when Lungi became the inaugural champion.
Makybe Diva Stakes history shows the event was originally known as the Craiglee Stakes before being renamed in 2006 to honour three-time Melbourne Cup champion mare Makybe Diva following her retirement from racing.
The Makybe Diva Stakes holds a special place in racing history due to it sharing the same name as the only horse to win the Melbourne Cup race on three occasions.
Taking place at arguably Australia’s most famous racecourse, the Makybe Diva Stakes is a genuine mile test but did run over further (2000m) between 1948 and 1964.
Horses in the Makybe Diva Stakes field must be aged at least three-years-old, and the event is contested at weight-for-age.
It has held Group 1 status since 2013, the year Foreteller won.
The Makybe Diva Stakes is the third Group 1 race of the spring in Melbourne following the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield in late August and the Group 1 A.J. Moir Stakes (1000m) for the sprinters at The Valley.
Get the best Makybe Diva Stakes Day racing odds for Melbourne, racing stats, previews, form and insider tips on races like the meeting’s feature Group 1 race now at the TAB NZ!
Expert Tips on the 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes
Stay tuned for our expert tips and Makybe Diva Stakes betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature at Flemington.
2025 Makybe Diva Stakes Same Race Multi Selections ($3.25 at time of publish) – BET NOW
- Top 2 – No. 5 Via Sistina
- Top 3 – No. 6 Aeliana
- Top 4 – No. 2 Tom Kitten
VIA SISTINA (2) is the clear standout and short-priced favourite in this field. This record-breaking eight-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock just keeps raising the bar. With her Ladbrokes Cox Plate title defence looming, she shows no signs of slowing down. Her career stats speak volumes—25 starts, countless jaw-dropping performances. She silenced critics with a gutsy fresh run on a bottomless Heavy (10) Randwick track, edging out Aeliana in the Winx Stakes and pushing her Group 1 tally into double digits. While last year’s run in this race didn’t go her way, she’s set to get more favourable conditions this time and looks primed to make amends. Her two subsequent Group 1 Flemington wins in the Turnbull and Champions Stakes—especially that 2.75-length demolition in the latter—prove she’s got the course well and truly covered. With J-Mac sticking from a dream barrier two draw, and despite a mixed second-up record, this champion mare is flying and incredibly hard to oppose.
AELIANA (5) from the same stable was the dominant Australian Derby winner from the autumn and looms as the clear danger, having gone agonisingly close fresh in the Winx Stakes over 1400m. She gave Via Sistina a serious scare that day, running out of her skin and showing just how much she’s matured into a powerful four-year-old mare. Jockey Jason Collett noted she was “a bit fresh and tardy out of the gates,” leaving us wondering—had she jumped cleanly and carried a touch more fitness, could she have turned the tables? No more speculation. Now stepping up to 1600m, she gets her Derby-winning rider Damian Lane back aboard from gate five. Expect her to be sharper, stronger, and ready to make a statement.
TOM KITTEN (6) is finally back and there’s plenty of anticipation around his return. The now five-year-old Godolphin galloper was a late scratching at the gates in the Memsie and has his rescheduled first-up run now. He’ll jump straight into a mile, and it marks his official debut for the Anthony & Sam Freedman stable. This exciting son of Harry Angel made headlines back in March, beating Mr B in the All-Star Mile at this very track and trip. He then wrapped up his prep with a strong third—just 2.5 lengths off Via Sistina—in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. Barrier six is no concern in a small field, and with Ben Melham aboard, everything looks in place for a bold showing. Can he deliver fresh and prove his star credentials from midfield? Time will tell. But at the very least, he shapes as excellent value for a Top 4 finish and could be the sleeper in this lineup.
Makybe Diva Stakes Tips
Makybe Diva Stakes tips on which horse will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the important Flemington mile race heats up.
Makybe Diva Stakes tips on what horse will win the Makybe Diva Stakes this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at Makybe Diva Stakes race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in the Makybe Diva Stakes field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key Makybe Diva Stakes trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in the Makybe Diva Stakes field this year?
- Makybe Diva Stakes barrier statistics and where your Makybe Diva Stakes betting selections are drawn.
- Makybe Diva Stakes horses that have a good past record at the Flemington track.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning Makybe Diva Stakes race tip? The event itself takes just over 1 minute and 30 seconds for competing horses to run the 1,600m trip depending on track conditions.
The official Makybe Diva Stakes winner and winning Makybe Diva Stakes trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish Makybe Diva Stakes result.
What are the best Makybe Diva Stakes lead-up races to look at when placing a Makybe Diva Stakes bet?
Horses traditionally contested the Makybe Diva Stakes off an earlier spring lead-up in a race like the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) or Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the month prior.
The last horse to complete the Memsie Stakes – Makybe Diva Stakes double in the same year was Mr Brightside (2023) who actually completed that year’s PB Lawrence Stakes – Memsie Stakes – Makybe Diva Stakes treble.
Mr Brightside also won both the 2024 and 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes off lead-up seconds in the Memsie both years.
New Zealand-Bred Horses in the Makybe Diva Stakes
Betting on the New Zealand-bred but Australian-trained horses in the field is more and more popular as Makybe Diva Stakes tips favour the proven Kiwi-bred hopes from Australian-based stables.
Looking back over the Makybe Diva Stakes history and statistics shows that the last New Zealand-bred Makybe Diva Stakes winner was Mr Brightside in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
From 2017-2025, six of the nine Makybe Diva Stakes winners were New Zealand-bred for local Australian stables with Humidor (2017), Grunt (2018), I’m Thunderstruck (2022), and Mr Brightside (2023-25).
Makybe Diva Stakes Tips for a Trifecta
Makybe Diva Stakes tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the Makybe Diva Stakes results.
The horse to finish on top of the Makybe Diva Stakes trifecta is your Makybe Diva Stakes winner, the runner who outlasted all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing a Makybe Diva Stakes trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
A Makybe Diva Stakes trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on the Makybe Diva Stakes to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your Makybe Diva Stakes trifecta bet is a top tip as the favourites have an excellent recent strike-rate running in the money.
Key Makybe Diva Stakes Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s Makybe Diva Stakes by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the Makybe Diva Stakes. Our Makybe Diva Stakes betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. Makybe Diva Stakes race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from barriers 2-8 have historically shown a higher success rate in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Bet on the next Makybe Diva Stakes race now!
Past Makybe Diva Stakes Results
Recent Makybe Diva Stakes winners, jockeys, trainers, barriers, and weights carried to victory dating back to the year 2005 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner – Age/Gender
Breeding |
Jockey | Weight (kgs) | Trainer/s | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) 8G BULLBARS (AUS) – LILAHJAY (NZ) TAVISTOCK (NZ) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 59.0 | BEN, WILL & JD HAYES | 1 | |
| MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) 7G BULLBARS (AUS) – LILAHJAY (NZ) TAVISTOCK (NZ) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 59.0 | BEN, WILL & JD HAYES | 4 | |
| MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) 6G BULLBARS (AUS) – LILAHJAY (NZ) TAVISTOCK (NZ) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 59.0 | BEN, WILL & JD HAYES | 2 | |
| I’M THUNDERSTRUCK (NZ) 5G SHOCKING (AUS) – PRIMADONNA GIRL (NZ) EDENWOLD (CAN) |
M J ZAHRA | 59.0 | M PRICE & M KENT | 1 | |
| INCENTIVISE (AUS) 5G SHAMUS AWARD (AUS) – MISS ARGYLE (AUS) IGLESIA (AUS) |
B PREBBLE | 59.0 | PETER G MOODY | 3 | |
| FIERCE IMPACT (JPN) 6H DEEP IMPACT (JPN) – KEIAI GERBERA (JPN) SMARTY JONES (USA) |
M J ZAHRA | 59.0 | MATTHEW SMITH | 5 | |
| GATTING (AUS) 6G HARD SPUN (USA) – STUBBORN (AUS) LONHRO (AUS) |
JAMIE MELHAM | 59.0 | DARREN MCAULIFFE | 8 | |
| GRUNT (NZ) 4H O’REILLY (NZ) – RUQQAYA (NZ) VAN NISTELROOY (USA) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 58.5 | MICK PRICE | 6 | |
| HUMIDOR (NZ) 5G TEOFILO (IRE) – ZALIKA (NZ) ZABEEL (NZ) |
DAMIAN LANE | 59.0 | DARREN WEIR | 10 | |
| PALENTINO (AUS) 4H TEOFILO (IRE) – PALATINE HILL (AUS) PALACE MUSIC (USA) |
M J ZAHRA | 58.5 | DARREN WEIR | 5 | |
| FAWKNER (AUS) 8G RESET (AUS) – DANE BELLTAR (AUS) DANEWIN (AUS) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 59.0 | ROBERT HICKMOTT | 11 | |
| DISSIDENT (AUS) 4H SEBRING (AUS) – DIANA’S SECRET (AUS) ANABAA (USA) |
B MELHAM | 58.5 | PETER G MOODY | 6 | |
| FORETELLER (GB) 6G DANSILI (GB) – PROPHECY (IRE) WARNING (GB) |
C NEWITT | 59.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 9 | |
| SOUTHERN SPEED (AUS) 5M SOUTHERN IMAGE (USA) – GOLDEN EAGLE (NZ) ZABEEL (NZ) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 57.0 | LEON MACDONALD & ANDREW GLUYAS | 6 | |
| LITTORIO (AUS) 7G BELLOTTO (USA) – OUR CENTASEA (AUS) CENTAINE (AUS) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 59.0 | NIGEL BLACKISTON | 14 | |
| SHOCKING (AUS) 5H STREET CRY (IRE) – MARIA DI CASTIGLIA (GB) DANEHILL (USA) |
M RODD | 59.0 | MARK KAVANAGH | 8 | |
| VIGOR (NZ) 5G O’REILLY (NZ) – RATIONABLE (NZ) HOUSEBUSTER (USA) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 59.0 | DANNY O’BRIEN | 11 | |
| WEEKEND HUSSLER (AUS) 4G HUSSONET (USA) – WEEKEND BEAUTY (AUS) HELISSIO (FR) |
B RAWILLER | 58.5 | R S MCDONALD | 4 | |
| MARASCO (AUS) 5G SCENIC (IRE) – BLUEGRASS BELLE (AUS) IS IT TRUE (USA) |
D BEADMAN | 59.0 | FRED KERSLEY | 2 | |
| POMPEII RULER (AUS) 4G GENUINE (JPN) – WEST WITH NIGHT (NZ) POMPEII COURT (USA) |
C NEWITT | 57.5 | MICK PRICE | 6 | |
| CONFECTIONER (AUS) 5G BUBBLE GUM FELLOW (JPN) – PRINCESS BLUE (AUS) OUR POETIC PRINCE (AUS) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 58.0 | D A HAYES | 3 |
Makybe Diva Stakes Betting Info
Makybe Diva Stakes betting is open months ahead of the third Group 1 Melbourne, spring race down under at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination Makybe Diva Stakes betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures Makybe Diva Stakes odds online.
All-In Makybe Diva Stakes betting markets are then available following the official Makybe Diva Stakes nominations taken the Monday of race week.
Betting on the Makybe Diva Stakes field is available following final acceptances which close on the Wednesday of race week.
Betting on the Makybe Diva Stakes often favours middle distance gallopers coming off lead-up runs in the Memsie Stakes with this race proving a good form line to follow into the Makybe Diva Stakes each spring.
Makybe Diva Stakes race betting traditionally focuses on the New Zealand-bred horses trained locally down under with the majority heading towards bigger and better events over the spring.
For the best online betting on the Makybe Diva Stakes, consider tipping a horse to win both the Makybe Diva Stakes and another Group 1 race over the carnival in a spring double!
Makybe Diva Stakes Field
It is crucial to take note of when the Makybe Diva Stakes field is out, what time Makybe Diva Stakes nominations close and the official Makybe Diva Stakes acceptance dates when placing a Makybe Diva Stakes bet online as horses may drop out of the race and bets may be cancelled.
The Makybe Diva Stakes field features a capacity of 16 horses plus emergencies.
The Makybe Diva Stakes field attracts a line-up of top-line horses each season with runners coming from stables around Australia and New Zealand.
Nominations close: Monday September 8, 2025, at 12:00AM AEST
Weights declared by: Monday September 8, 2025, at 4:00PM AEST
Acceptances must be declared before: Wednesday September 10, 2025, at 9:30AM AEST
Riders must be declared before: Wednesday September 10, 2025, at 1:00PM AEST
Where can you bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes?
The best place to bet on this year’s Makybe Diva Stakes race is through the TAB NZ online.
Makybe Diva Stakes Odds
Makybe Diva Stakes odds and online betting tips on the Makybe Diva Stakes are dominated by proven Group 1 horses, the New Zealand-bred runners and locally trained gallopers heading towards the event second or third-up for the spring.
Where can I find the Makybe Diva Stakes odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the Makybe Diva Stakes, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
How to Place a Bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes
Want to know how to make a bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest Makybe Diva Stakes betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes online.
You can place a Makybe Diva Stakes bet online anytime markets are live.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the Makybe Diva Stakes.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, the Makybe Diva Stakes is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest Makybe Diva Stakes race field, joining a sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the spring carnival at Flemington Racecourse, the Makybe Diva Stakes has it all!
This important spring lead-up race showcases Australia’s finest thoroughbreds and attracts attention from all over the country as the count down to the Cox Plate Carnival heats up!
How to Bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out the Makybe Diva Stakes betting guide, Makybe Diva Stakes form guide and our expert Makybe Diva Stakes tips.
4. Choose a Makybe Diva Stakes bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the Makybe Diva Stakes Trifecta. There are many more Makybe Diva Stakes betting options available so make sure to check out our Makybe Diva Stakes betting markets.
5. Select the Makybe Diva Stakes horse you want to bet on from the early markets, Makybe Diva Stakes nominations or Makybe Diva Stakes field.
What makes betting on the Makybe Diva Stakes so popular?
The fact that the Makybe Diva Stakes is the first Group 1 mile race each spring contested over further than 1400m and one of the key lead-up races at the Melbourne Carnival of Racing make it a must watch and must bet on horse racing event.
What makes the Makybe Diva Stakes so special?
The Makybe Diva Stakes serves as a great guide historically to other important spring sprint races like the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes, so using the Makybe Diva form for these upcoming events is popular with punters.
Australian and international racing fans, including those in New Zealand, tune into the thrilling 1600m spring event every season to see if their bets on the Makybe Diva Stakes won!
The Makybe Diva Stakes currently offers A$750,000 in prize money plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners from across the country and further abroad keen to add their names to the list of Makybe Diva Stakes champions.
What are the popular betting markets for the Makybe Diva Stakes?
When it comes to betting on the Makybe Diva Stakes, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
How many horses can run in the Makybe Diva Stakes?
The Makybe Diva Stakes field has a 16-starter limit plus emergencies with final acceptances announced the Wednesday of race week.
The last time the Makybe Diva Stakes field ran at capacity was in 2010 when Shocking beat home his 15 rivals. By comparison, the 2023 Makybe Diva Stakes field attracted just seven runners with Mr Brightside winning.
Mr Brightside also won the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes defeating seven rivals in a small but quality eight-horse field. He returned to become history’s first three-time winner in 2025 in a six-horse field .
Makybe Diva Stakes race tips centre on proven weight-for-age stars that have good lead-up form, horses with previous experience at the famous Flemington track, and Kiwi-bred horses who have a dominant record in the race.
The Makybe Diva Stakes is a weight-for-age race open to horses aged three-years-old and above meaning the older the horse is the more weight they will carry.
The highest-rated horse in the Makybe Diva Stakes field dons the number one saddlecloth.
How many mares have won the Makybe Diva Stakes in recent years?
Despite being named in honour of one of the greatest ever race mares, recent history shows that since Saleous in 1996 the only other Makybe Diva Stakes winning mare was Southern Speed in 2012.
What age group has the best Makybe Diva Stakes record?
Five-year-olds have dominated the Makybe Diva Stakes results in recent years with 11 saluting between 2000 and 2025, most recently I’m Thunderstruck in 2022.
The oldest recent Makybe Diva Stakes winner was Mr Brightside in 2025 who saluted as an eight-year-old.
The youngest Makybe Diva Stakes winner in history was Acramitis in 1954 who remains the only three-year-old to win the race.
Between 2000 and 2025 the breakdown of Makybe Diva Stakes winners by age is as follows:
- 3YOS – 0
- 4YOs – 5 (latest Grunt in 2018)
- 5YOs – 11 (latest I’m Thunderstruck in 2022)
- 6YOs – 5 (latest Mr Brightside in 2023)
- 7YOs – 2 (latest Mr Brightside in 2024)
- 8YOs – 3 (latest Mr Brightside in 2025)
Makybe Diva Stakes Prize Money
The Makybe Diva Stakes prize money may not compare to the stakes on offer in events like the A$20 million The Everest and A$10 million The Golden Eagle which are both held in Sydney over the spring, but it remains a highlight of the Australian racing calendar.
The Makybe Diva Stakes prize money is set at A$750,000 in total stakes allocated between first to eighth place.
How much does the Makybe Diva Stakes winner get? The winning Makybe Diva Stakes horse receives a total of A$450,000 in prize money.
See below for the official breakdown of Makybe Diva Stakes prizes on offer from the Makybe Diva Stakes winner to the eighth horse to cross the finish line in the official Makybe Diva Stakes results.
- First: A$450,000
- Second: A$135,000
- Third: A$67,500
- Fourth: A$33,750
- Fifth: A$18,750
- Sixth: A$15,000
- Seventh: A$15,000
- Eighth: A$15,000
Conducted by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), the Makybe Diva Stakes is an early feature race at the Flemington track over the all-important Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The Makybe Diva Stakes has been won by a host of turf greats including a host of reigning or subsequent Melbourne Cup winners, Cox Plate winners, and Caulfield Cup champions.
How many international horses have won the Makybe Diva Stakes?
None. So far, a horse trained outside of Australia or New Zealand has not won the Makybe Diva Stakes with most Northern Hemisphere raiders opting to kick off their spring down under later with targets like the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup on the agenda.
How many horses have won the Makybe Diva Stakes more than once?
Only three horses have won multiple editions of the race with Chicquita (1950-51), Sailor’s Guide (1956-57), and Mr Brightside (2023-25) who was the first to do so as a mile race and a Group 1 race and the only horse to win the event three times.
Makybe Diva Stakes Race Records
What was the fastest Makybe Diva Stakes winning time? Dual Choice set the current Makybe Diva Stakes race record saluting in 1971 in a sharp time of 1 minute 31:9 seconds over the 1600m.
Who is the longest-priced Makybe Diva Stakes winner? Gatting won the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2019 at $101!
What races will runners out of the Makybe Diva Stakes target in the spring?
Following a run in the Makybe Diva Stakes key spring targets for the top contenders include the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) run at Caulfield a fortnight later, Flemington’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) in early October, the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) with Australasia’s weight-for-age championship taking place at The Valley in late October, and Flemington’s Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.
Weekend Hussler (2008) was the last horse to complete the Makybe Diva Stakes – Underwood Stakes double in the same calendar year.
Incentivise (2021) was the last horse to complete the Makybe Diva Stakes – Turnbull Stakes in the same calendar year.
Northerly (2002) was last horse to complete the Makybe Diva Stakes – Cox Plate double in the same calendar year.
The Makybe Diva Stakes graduates may also head into the staying features of the spring including the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) run over the two miles at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November.
What Time Does the Makybe Diva Stakes Start?
The Makybe Diva Stakes start time is traditionally scheduled after 3:00pm (local time).
Makybe Diva Stakes Barriers
The Makybe Diva Stakes barrier draw, and allocated Makybe Diva Stakes gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
When is the Makybe Diva Stakes barrier draw?
The Makybe Diva Stakes barrier draw is conducted on the same day as final acceptances close which is the Wednesday of race week around 9:30am local Melbourne time.
Barriers have historically affected the Makybe Diva Stakes results with the distance and make-up of the course best suited to horses drawn between barriers one and six.
Barrier 1 is the most recent Makybe Diva Stakes winning barrier with Mr Brightside in 2025.
Four Makybe Diva Stakes winners from 2004-2025 jumped from double-digit gates most recently Humidor (10 in 2017).
Barrier 14 is the widest barrier to produce a Makybe Diva Stakes winner between 2000 and 2025 with Littorio the latest to salute from that gate in 2011.
Barrier 3 is the last to produce back-to-back Makybe Diva Stakes winners with Hug’s Dancer (2004) and Confectioner (2005).
What is the most successful recent Makybe Diva Stakes barrier draw?
Barriers 1 and 6 have both produced four Makybe Diva Stakes winners between 2000 and 2025 most recently Mr Brightside (barrier 1 in 2025) and Grunt (barrier 6 in 2018).
Breakdown of winning Makybe Diva Stakes barriers between 2000-25:
- Barrier 1 – 4 (latest Mr Brightside in 2025)
- Barrier 2 – 3 (latest Mr Brightside in 2023)
- Barrier 3 – 3 (latest Incentivise in 2011)
- Barrier 4 – 2 (latest Mr Brightside in 2024)
- Barrier 5 – 3 (latest Fierce Impact in 2020)
- Barrier 6 – 4 (latest Grunt in 2018)
- Barrier 7 – 0
- Barrier 8 – 2 (latest Gatting in 2019)
- Barrier 9 – 1 (latest Foreteller in 2013)
- Barrier 10 – 1 (latest Humidor in 2017)
- Barrier 11 – 2 (latest Fawkner in 2015)
- Barrier 12 – 0
- Barrier 13 – 0
- Barrier 14 – 1 (latest Littorio in 2011)
Makybe Diva Stakes Betting Favourites
Favourites in Makybe Diva Stakes betting are those horses that jump at the shortest Makybe Diva Stakes odds.
Last Makybe Diva Stakes favourite to win: Mr Brightside ($1.85 in 2023)
Last odds-on Makybe Diva Stakes favourite to win: Mr Brightside ($1.85 in 2023)
Last Makybe Diva Stakes favourite to finish worse than third: Via Sistina ($2.60 in 2024)
The last Makybe Diva Stakes favourite to finish worse than third and miss out on a spot in the Makybe Diva Stakes trifecta was Via Sistina who started at $2.60 before running 6.46 lengths back fifth to the successful defending champion, Mr Brightside ($3.50), in 2024.
Via Sistina returned as the odds-on $1.80 favourite in the 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes but ran third to Mr Brightside ($5).
Makybe Diva Stakes Form
We offer a complete Makybe Diva Stakes form guide and expert analysis on every horse in the Makybe Diva Stakes field in addition to insider Makybe Diva Stakes racing tips and betting odds.
Our Makybe Diva Stakes form guides include:
- Makybe Diva Stakes race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all horses in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in the Makybe Diva Stakes or you are an expert Makybe Diva Stakes tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes.
How to Read the Makybe Diva Stakes Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s Makybe Diva Stakes form guide:
Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in the Makybe Diva Stakes race.
Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the Makybe Diva Stakes as this can impact performance.
Makybe Diva Stakes Day Betting
Makybe Diva Stakes Day betting is dominated by online Makybe Diva Stakes bets, but there are also a host of exciting support races that the TAB NZ offer top Flemington racing odds on.
The Makybe Diva Stakes is the only Group event on the card, but the other Group status Makybe Diva Stakes Day races to check out our insider Melbourne racing tips for include the:
- Group 2 A$300,000 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m),
- Group 2 A$300,000 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m), and the
- Group 3 A$300,000 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m).
Makybe Diva Stakes Results
The Makybe Diva Stakes results are known when the event takes place on a Saturday in mid-September.
You can bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes race results weeks ahead of race day with our futures Makybe Diva Stakes markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the Makybe Diva Stakes results entails picking the Makybe Diva Stakes winning horse and we can help you place an informed bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes with our Makybe Diva Stakes tips and form guide.
Other Makybe Diva Stakes results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete Makybe Diva Stakes finishing order shows what position every horse in the traditional 16-horse field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in the Makybe Diva Stakes results!
Makybe Diva Stakes exotic results show how all the exotic Makybe Diva Stakes bet types resulted like the Makybe Diva Stakes Quinella, Makybe Diva Stakes Exacta, Makybe Diva Stakes Trifecta, and Makybe Diva Stakes First Four.
Makybe Diva Stakes Jockeys
Securing a ride in the Makybe Diva Stakes field is a highly sought-after achievement for jockeys around Australia and New Zealand. Winning this important spring lead-up race is a nice early campaign goal for many of Australasia’s top riders looking to secure a Group 1 trophy during the carnival.
What jockeys are riding in the Makybe Diva Stakes field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official Makybe Diva Stakes jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Craig Williams is the latest Makybe Diva Stakes winning jockey having ridden three-time champion Mr Brightside to victory in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Craig Williams was also the last back-to-back Makybe Diva Stakes winning jockey aboard Littorio in 2011 and Southern Speed in 2012 and Mr Brightside (2023-25).
Who is the most successful Makybe Diva Stakes jockey? Craig Williams has ridden six Makybe Diva Stakes winners to victory since 2004 with success aboard Confectioner (2005), Littorio (2011), Southern Speed (2012), and the only three-time champion Mr Brightside (2023-25).
Jamie Kah on $101 winner Gatting in 2019 was the last female jockey to win the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the Makybe Diva Stakes horses this spring.
Makybe Diva Stakes Trainers
Lee Freedman is the most successful Makybe Diva Stakes trainer having prepared four winners. Freedman of course also trained the race’s now namesake Makybe Diva for all three of her Melbourne Cup victories.
Ben, Will & JD Hayes are the latest Makybe Diva Stakes winning trainers having prepared Mr Brightside for his three wins from 2023-25.
Makybe Diva Stakes Winners
Notable Makybe Diva Stakes winners throughout history include:
Comic Court (1949): The race’s second winner, Comic Court, was a legendary Australian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who excelled at various distances, setting records at 6 furlongs (1,200 meters) and 2 miles (3,200 meters). He famously won the 1950 Melbourne Cup carrying a heavy weight of 9 stone 5 pounds (59 kg), setting an Australasian record of 3 minutes 19½ seconds.
Lord (1961): Kiwi-bred champion who most famously won the Memsie Stakes on four occasions.
Light Fingers (1965): Bart Cummings-trained mare who went on to win the 1965 Melbourne Cup race.
Rain Lover (1969): Star Australian stayer who won back-to-back Melbourne Cups, his first in 1968 by an incredible eight-length margin.
Ming Dynasty (1977): Ming Dynasty was a renowned Australian Thoroughbred racehorse, claiming victory in the 1977 and 1980 Caulfield Cups.
Rose Of Kingston (1982): Legendary Australian Thoroughbred mare whose accolades included Australian Horse of the Year, Australasian Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, and Australasian Champion Older Mare in 1982. She retired a three-time Group 1 winner and is perhaps best known as the dam of Kingston Rule, a Melbourne Cup winner sired by the American Triple Crown champion, Secretariat.
Jeune (1995): Noted British-bred firm tracker who won the previous year’s Melbourne Cup.
Mr Brightside (2023 & 2024 & 2025): Brilliant Lindsay Park-raced weight-for-age star who won the 2023 All Star Mile – Doncaster Mile double and who boasts a tremendous record especially at Caulfield Racecourse. He returned in 2024 to go back-to-back in the race for the first time since Sailor’s Guide (1956-57). Mr Brightside then made history as the first ever three-time champion in 2025 as an eight-year-old leading all-the-way to beat a small but elite field of rivals for his 10th Group 1 success.
Bet on the next Makybe Diva Stakes winner with our comprehensive Makybe Diva Stakes form guide and expert Makybe Diva Stakes tips at the TAB NZ!
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.