The Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), the first Group 1 race of the season at Flemington, will take place this Saturday, with an undercard that includes The Archer (2500m), offering a golden ticket to the Melbourne Cup.
Top jockeys James McDonald and Nash Rawiller will ride for Chris Waller in the feature race. Mr Brightside is aiming to go back-to-back in this race, while weight-for-age stars Pride Of Jenni and Via Sistina will face off again after their clash in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April. Riff Rocket, a dual Derby winner, and Warmonger, the Queensland Derby winner, are also set to compete.
Pinstriped, fresh from winning the Memsie Stakes, may start on Saturday, with options including the Underwood Stakes or Feehan Stakes later this month. Blake Shinn will reunite with Antino, while Circle Of Fire and Atishu, last year’s Champions Stakes winner, are also expected to feature in the race.
Makybe Diva Stakes Likely Field
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| MR BRIGHTSIDE | B, W & JD Hayes | C Williams |
| WARMONGER | M Price & M Kent Jnr | M Dee |
| CIRCLE OF FIRE | C Maher | |
| ANTINO | T Gollan | B Shinn |
| PINSTRIPED | E Jusufovic | B Allen |
| RIFF ROCKET | C Waller | N Rawiller |
| PRIDE OF JENNI | C Maher | D Bates |
| VIA SISTINA | C Waller | J McDonald |
| ATISHU | C Waller |
