Makybe Diva Stakes: Pro punter preview

Makybe Diva Stakes 2021: Pro punter preview

Pro punter Trevor Lawson delivers his thoughts on the 2021 Makybe Diva Stakes

This is usually a pretty tricky race! A lot of the runners will be resuming or second-up stayers targeting the biggest races of the spring, so we’ve got to work out what they’re actually trying to achieve here – many will be some way off their best as they’ve got bigger goals in mind.

Added to that this year, there’s no natural leader in this race, which makes the shape of it hard to assess.

Needless to say, there’s queries on most of the runners. But let’s get into it!

FIFTY STARS has run well second-up in the past, but the wide draw here makes it difficult.

KEIAI NAUTIQUE had its first run in Australia in the Winx Stakes and flashed home late, running the second-quickest last 200m of the day.

IMAGING had no luck in the Winx Stakes. Could possibly be the leader here if they want to. Has claims.

INCENTIVISE has won its past six. Resumes for new trainer and is aimed at the Cups. It’s hard to know exactly where its at and furthermore… would they even want to win this? Cup weights aren’t out yet and a win would get them a significant increase.

AEGON worked home nicely first-up. Strips fitter here. Has rough claims.

MO’UNGA had a nice win first-up. Second-up here, 1600m suits and should have natural improvement.

What a win!💪
Like a true All Black, star Savabeel colt Mo’unga delivers an outstanding victory in the G1 Winx Stakes, beating the champion mare Verry Elleegant! “He’s come back even better!’ exciting words on the WS grad by @ANeashamRacing, congratulations to all connections 🥂 pic.twitter.com/x5axBDRDCZ

— Waikato Stud (@WaikatoStud) August 21, 2021

COLETTE made good ground first-up. Has a wide draw here however and is better suited on wet tracks.

TOFANE ran honestly first-up. Strips fitter here second-up. First time at this trip here, which is a query. May take the lead.

INSPIRATIONAL GIRL worked home okay first-up. Can improve here second-up.

MOUNT POPA, EXPLOSIVE JACK and JOHNNY GET ANGRY aren’t good enough to figure here.

As I said, this is a tricky equation, so tread carefully. I have Mo’unga ($5 with TopSport) on top from Tofane ($4.80 with TopSport), with Inspirational Girl ($8.50 with TopSport) on the third line of my market.

Makybe Diva Stakes

The Makybe Diva Stakes is a Group 1 weight-for-age race held early in the Spring Carnival, with the 2021 edition run at Flemington on Saturday, September 11th.

First run in 1948, the race was originally known as the Craiglee Stakes. Wilfred Henry Johnston was Chairman of the VRC stewards panel from 1924 to 1945, and the race was named after his property in Sunbury: Craiglee.

Originally run over 2000 metres, or one-and-a-quarter miles, the race was shortened to the mile distance in 1965.

In 2007, the race was renamed in honour of champion mare Makybe Diva. Makybe Diva is the only horse to win Australia’s greatest race, the Melbourne Cup, on three occasions – she achieved this is 2003, 2004 and 2005. It was therefore fitting that she have a major race at Flemington named after her, though she never actually won this particular race.

The race was updated to Group 1 status in 2013. It’s a key lead-up race for Spring Carnival majors such as the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, and therefore attracts a quality field of big names.

Makybe Diva Stakes 2020

The 2020 Makybe Diva Stakes was won by the Matthew Smith-trained Fierce Impact, which was ridden by Mark Zahra. It was Fierce Impact’s third career Group 1 win, after he claimed the Toorak Handicap and Cantala Stakes in 2019, both of which were also over the mile.

The Flemington track was rated a Good 4, and the rail was in the true position. Second place went to Russian Camelot, while the unfancied So Si Bon finished third.

Finish	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Margin	Barrier	Weight	SP
1	4. Fierce Impact	Mark Zahra	Matthew Smith	1:36.33	5	59	$4
2	13. Russian Camelot	Damien Oliver	Danny O’Brien	0.2	14	57.5	$4.60
3	8. So Si Bon	Daniel Stackhouse	Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes	1.7	16	59	$31

FIERCE IMPACT was fierce all the way to the line to win the G1 Makybe Dive Stakes 🐅 pic.twitter.com/IW34eB22LK

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 12, 2020

Makybe Diva Stakes: past winners

2020 Fierce Impact
2019 Gatting
2018 Grunt
2017 Humidor
2016 Palentino
2015 Fawkner
2014 Dissident
2013 Foreteller
2012 Southern Speed
2011 Littorio
2010 Shocking