Makybe Diva Stakes

Makybe Diva Stakes

Group One Betting Guide
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Location: Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria
Prize Money: $750,000
Distance: 1600m

Named in honour of the three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, the Makybe Diva Stakes is one of the early Group 1 events of the Melbourne spring.

The 1600m feature is run at Melbourne’s premier race track Flemington in mid-September and gained its Group 1 level status in 2013. It was originally named the Craiglee Stakes up until 2006 when Racing Victoria changed the name.

Due to the middle distance of the mile, the Makybe Diva Stakes winners list features a wide-range of thoroughbreds that includes sprinters, middle distance horses and stayers.

2010 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking used the Makybe Diva in its preparation and trainers have since used it as a key lead into the Melbourne Cup. Makybe Diva Stakes betting is open for months in advance of the race, with bookies generally framing a futures market.

Other races on Makybe Diva Stakes day include the Bobbie Lewis Quality and the Lets Elope Stakes.


2024 Makybe Diva Stakes betting odds

Odds for the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes are currently unavailable.


Best bookmakers for the Makybe Diva Stakes

Most bookmakers will open markets for the Makybe Diva Stakes in July/August, once all the nominations are received. This can differ depending on the bookmaker, so keep checking in with our bookmakers listed below for updated markets.

United States Sport Table

Sport Table


Latest Makybe Diva Stakes News

Mr Brightside a class above in Makybe Diva Stakes
Mr Brightside ($1.80) has continued his dominance in the spring with a stunning performance to win the Group 1 Makybe ...
Flemington race-by-race preview
A stacked 10-race card awaits punters at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. Check out HorseBetting's free race-by-race preview and quaddie tips ...
Mr Brightside opens short in small Makybe Diva Stakes field
It may be small in numbers, but the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) is stacked with talent for the ...
Makybe Diva Stakes attracts 15 nominations
Last start Group 1 winners Fangirl and Mr Brightside headline the 15 strong nominations for the Group 1 Makybe Diva ...
Mr. Brightside goes back-to-back in P.B. Lawrence
Ben, Will & JD Hayes and Craig Williams have combined with Mr. Brightside to claim the feature Group 2 P.B ...
I’m Thunderstruck put down after shocking accident
Two-time Group 1 winner - I’m Thunderstruck – has sadly been put down on veterinary advice after suffering an injury ...

Betting statistics for the Makybe Diva Stakes

In the last 37 years, only 15 favourites have won the Makybe Diva Stakes, with a further 11 having filled a placing. This means the Makybe Diva Stakes betting has been somewhat of a money-pit for punters over the years.

Only five of the last 13 favourites, Mr Brightside (2023) I’m Thunderstruck (2022), Incentivise (2021), Fierce Impact (2020) and Dissident (2014) have won with an average price of $3.05 which makes the group one a wide-open affair where favourites don’t have a good record.

Three of the last 11 favourites have failed to finish in the first three and an incredible nine horses in the last 34 years have won paying in double figures. The average price for those winners is $19.75 which made certain punters extremely happy.

Some of the favoured runners that suffered defeat include: Lights Of Heaven ($1.90), Our Smoking Joe ($3), Baryshnikov ($1.90), Super Impose ($3), Typhoon Tracey ($2.05) and Apache Cat ($1.80).

Those are some champions that failed to win the Makybe Diva Stakes at short odds, but there have been some favourites win as well. We must not leave out Dissident ($1.82), Weekend Hussler ($1.90), Northerly ($2.15) and Sky Heights ($2.20).

Those names are synonymous with Australian racing and punters have to make sure they are betting on a champion to ensure their money is safe.

Punters should also note that the rail and a middle barrier draw is the most successful. There have been six winners from both barrier six and barrier one.


2024 Makybe Diva Stakes Final Field

HorseBetting will update this page when the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes final field is released.


Previous Makybe Diva Stakes Fields

Plenty of Group 1 superstars have gone around in the Makybe Diva Stakes as they kick off their spring campaigns. Check the previous fields of the Makybe Diva Stakes out here.

  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Silks
    Mr Brightside
    Ben, Will & JD Hayes
    Craig Williams
    2
    59kg
    2 Silks
    Alligator Blood
    Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
    Damien Oliver
    4
    59kg
    3 Silks
    Spanish Mission
    Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman
    Luke Nole
    6
    59kg
    4 Silks
    Aegon
    Andrew Forsman
    Michael Dee
    5
    59kg
    5 Silks
    Francesco Guardi
    Chris Waller
    Damian Lane
    3
    59kg
    6 Silks
    Osipenko
    Chris Waller
    Mark Zahra
    1
    58.5kg
    7 Silks
    Princess Grace
    Chris Waller
    Blake Shinn
    7
    57kg
  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 I’m Thunderstruck Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Mark Zahra 1 59kg
    2 Cascadian James Cummings Blake Shinn 7 59kg
    3 Regal Power Danny O’Brien Damien Oliver 3 59kg
    4 Alligator Blood Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 2 59kg
    5 Mo’unga Annabel Neasham Jamie Kah 8 59kg
    6 Nonconformist Grahame Begg Jordan Childs 6 59kg
    7 Western Empire Danny O’Brien Damian Lane 5 59kg
    8 She’s Ideel Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Melham 4 57kg
  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Sir Dragonet Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Allen 8 59kg
    2 Fifty Stars Tom Dabernig John Allen 13 59kg
    3 Keiai Nautique Matthew Smith Craig Newitt 10 59kg
    4 Imaging Chris Waller Damien Thornton 9 59kg
    5 Mount Popa Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Fred Kersley 6 59kg
    6 Incentivise Peter Moody Brett Prebble 3 59kg
    7 Explosive Jack Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Harry Coffey 1 58.5kg
    8 Johnny Get Angry Denis Pagan Lachlan King 2 58.5kg
    9 Aegon Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman Luke Currie 4 58.5kg
    10 Mo’unga Annabel Neasham Jye McNeil 11 58.5kg
    11 Colette James Cummings Damien Oliver 12 57kg
    12 Tofane Mike Moroney Craig Williams 7 57kg
    13 Inspirational Girl Danny O’Brien Damian Lane 5 57kg
  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Vow And Declare Danny O’Brien Craig Williams 11 59kg
    2 Gailo Chop Matthew Smith John Allen 3 59kg
    3 Harlem Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes Jamie Mott 6 59kg
    4 Fierce Impact Matthew Smith Mark Zahra 5 59kg
    5 Gatting Peter Moody Luke Nolen 4 59kg
    6 Levendi Peter Gelagotis Jason Maskiell 1 59kg
    7 Kings Will Dream Chris Waller Jye McNeil 15 59kg
    8 So Si Bon Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes Daniel Stackhouse 16 59kg
    9 Master Of Wine Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Michael Rodd 10 59kg
    10 Warning Anthony & Sam Freedman Billy Egan 9 58.5kg
    11 Dalasan Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas Jordan Childs 8 58.5kg
    12 Quick Thinker Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman Michael Dee 13 58.5kg
    13 Russian Camelot Danny O’Brien Damien Oliver 14 57.5kg
    14 Perfect Jewel Grant & Alana Williams William Pike 2 57kg
    15 Princess Jenni David Brideoake Ethan Brown 12 57kg
    16 Miami Bound Danny O’Brien Ben Melham 7 56.5kg

2023 Makybe Diva Stakes result


1stMr Brightside (-117.65)
2ndAlligator Blood (-125)
3rdOsipenko (NTD)

Recent Makybe Diva Stakes winners

  • Mr Brightside ($1.80) has continued his dominance in the spring with a stunning performance to win the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Craig Williams produced an elite steer from barrier two, allowing the short-priced favourite to drop his head in the one-one position throughout the 1600m weight-for-age feature. Meanwhile, it was left to Damien Oliver aboard Alligator Blood ($3.60) to dictate terms up on-speed with Princess Grace ($5.50) travelling up to sit outside the lead. They only went at a moderate clip allowing Alligator Blood to give a kick turning into the Flemington straight; however, Craig Williams was hot on the heels of the ‘gator, going straight past the five-time Group 1 winner to secure a dominant victory. Osipenko ($14.00) put in a much-improved effort, while Francesco Guardi looks on track for further the Cups races later down the line.
  • Having flashed home for second in the Memsie Stakes first-up, it looked destined to be a similar story for I’m Thunderstruck in the 2022 Makybe Diva when Alligator Blood kicked for home inside the final furlong. However, aided by an inch-perfect steer from Mark Zahra, I’m Thunderstruck thundered home late to claim victory by the barest of margins and bought up a second win at the highest level.
  • Having opened a $7.50 chance in the 2021 Makybe Diva Stakes final field markets, the Peter Moody-trained Incentivise staked his claim as a genuine Cup contender when leading all the way in the Makybe Diva Stakes. Having dominated the QLD Winter Racing Carnival, all eyes were on Incentivise and whether he could measure up at Group 1 level in Melbourne en route to a Melbourne Cup start. He silenced those doubts in remarkable fashion, going on to beat last start Winx Stakes winner Mo’unga and the 2020 Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet in a field that consisted of 10 previous Group 1 winners.
  • The 2020 Makybe Diva Stakes was expected to be a battle between Russian Camelot and Fierce Impact. It was the Matthew Smith-trained Fierce Impact who had the last laugh when defeating Russian Camelot in a ding-dong battle over the final furlong. The Russian was forced to do it the hard way after being 3/4 wide without cover the entire race, whilst Fierce Impact saved plenty of ground along the inside half of the track. It was Fierce Impact’s third Group 1 win, after suffering a narrow defeat in the Winx Stakes at his previous start.
  • When Gatting saluted at odds of $101 it was one of the biggest upsets in Group 1 history. The Darren McCauliffe-trained gelding’s win handed Jamie Kah her second Group 1 win and was the last win of Gatting’s career. Race favourite Mystic Journey loomed up to Gatting’s girth with 300m to go, but it was the roughie who found another gear to kick clear and cause the boil-over.
  • Grunt was well in commission a month in advance of the Makybe Diva Stakes but poor lead-in form led the punters to desert him. What a mistake that would prove to be. After traveling well throughout the race Grunt zoomed past long time leader Black Heart Bart and the 400m and put pay to the field, which was as good as any you’ll see in the 2018 spring. Melbourne Cup hopeful Kings Will Dream ran well into second while New Zealand star Jon Snow clung on gamely for third.
  • Humidor created a big upset when launching late to beat $1.70 race favourite Hartnell. Former New Zealand runner Humidor wasn’t expected to hit top gear in a fresh state, but the group one winner sprouted wings down the Flemington straight to record and effortless victory. Hartnell battled on well for second, but it was an under par performance from the horse that was on the second line of the Cox Plate betting.
  • Darren Weir-trained both first and second, with four year old Palentino Saluting from Black Heart Bart, who was the more fancied of the two runners with punters. Black Heart Bart had previously won the Memsie Stakes first up. Jumping at $2.05, Black Heart Bart hit the front at the top of the straight, but was a sitting duck for Mark Zahra and Palentino, who paid $9. He or she finished further back in third. Our full report.
  • Fawkner had been withdrawn from the Memsie Stakes because of a poor barrier draw, but overcame a lack of a preparation race to win the Makybe Diva. The eight year old was ridden by Damien Oliver, who sent her forward early to overcome barrier 11. Oliver kept Fawkner close to the lead and eventually hit the front at the 200m mark. Rising Romance and Entirely Platinum pushed all the way but in the end it was Fawkner by a half neck.
  • Dissident made it back to back group 1 wins in this race. Sitting second mid-race behind Messene, with a huge gap over the rest of the field, the pair slowed at the 600m mark. Around the behind Dissident moved up to Messene with the field charging behind. Fawkner was the main threat and finished hard but the $2.70 favourite held on for a great victory with Ben Melham onboard. Peter Moody was the trainer.
  • Foreteller and Craig Newitt were victorious with the win paying straight up punters $15. Puissance De Lune (the Melbourne Cup favourite that year) was all the rage, jumping at $2.35. Foreteller, trained by Chris Waller, knocked Puissance De Lune off in the final few strides of the race, with another stayer Moudre ($91) back in third.

Makybe Diva Stakes winners

Makybe Diva StakesPast Winners
Year Horse Jockey Trainer
2023 Mr Brightside Craig Williams Ben, Will & JD Hayes
2022 I’m Thunderstruck Mark Zahra Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
2021 Incentivise Brett Prebble Brett Prebble
2020 Fierce Impact Mark Zhara Matthew Smith
2019 Gatting Jamie Kah Darren Mcauliffe
2018 Grunt Damien Oliver Mick Price
2017 Humidor Damian Lane Darren Weir
2016 Palentino Mark Zahra Darren Weir
2015 Fawkner Damien Oliver Robert Hickmott
2014 Dissident Ben Melham Peter Moody
2013 Foreteller Craig Newitt Chris Waller
2012 Southern Speed Craig Williams Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas
2011 Littorio Craig Williams Nigel Blackiston
2010 Shocking Michael Rodd Mark Kavanagh
2009 Vigor Damien Oliver Damien Oliver
2008 Weekend Hussler Brad Rawiller Ross McDonald
2007 Marasco Darren Beadman Fred Kersley
2006 Pompeii Ruler Craig Newitt Mick Price
2005 Confectioner Craig Williams David Hayes
2004 Hugs Dancer Greg Childs Tony McEvoy
2003 Pentastic Steven Arnold David Hall
2002 Northerly Greg Childs Fred Kersley
2001 Native Jazz Brett Prebble Myles Plumb
2000 Go Flash Neville Wilson John Blakey

Makybe Diva Stakes winners pre-2000

Makybe Diva Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000
Year Horse
1999 Sky Heights
1998 Umrum
1997 Marble Halls
1996 Saleous
1995 Jeune
1994 Mahogany
1993 Mannerism
1992 Star Of The Realm
1991 Durbridge
1990 Zabeel
1989 Apollo Run
1988 High Regard
1987 Military Plume
1986 King Phoenix
1985 Fine Offer
1984 Prolific
1983 Pleach
1982 Rose Of Kingston
1981 Sovereign Red
1980 Big Print
1979 Dulcify
1978 Family Of Man
1977 Ming Dynasty
1976 How Now
1975 Tontonan
1974 All Shot
1973 Gay Icarus
1972 Gossiper
1971 Dual Choice
1970 Gay Poss
1969 Rain Lover
1968 Lowland
1967 Star Belle
1966 Tobin Bronze
1965 Light Fingers
1964 Sir Dane
1963 Havelock
1962 Aquanita
1961 Lord
1960 Nilarco
1959 Vogel
1958 White Hills
1957 Sailor’s Guide
1956 Sailor’s Guide
1955 Cromis
1954 Acramitis
1953 Aldershot
1952 Great Western
1951 Chicquita
1950 Chicquita
1949 Comic Court
1948 Lungi
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