Brad Waters tips and best bets for Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes races at Flemington

Queenslander Antino should continue on his winning way while a Grahame Begg-trained three-year-old can repeat the result of his last run at Flemington at Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes meeting.

Queensland visitor Antino can make a big impression at his Melbourne debut at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters takes an early look at Saturday’s big Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes meeting at Flemington.

BEST BET

ANTINO (Race 3, No.2)

The smart Queenslander is unbeaten first-up and has landed in a race of little speed. He can roll forward and outsprint them in the straight.

VALUE BET

MAHARBA (Race 34, No.5)

Maharba won impressively down the straight first-up last time in and looked sharp at the jumpouts. He’ll run a bold race at odds at Flemington.

EARLY QUADDIE

1, 2, 4, 8/1, 2, 3, 5, 6/11, 13, 15/1,3, 10, 15

$100 flexi for 41.6 percent

BIG6

11, 13, 15/1, 3, 10, 15/1, 2, 7/1, 4/1, 5, 8, 9/3, 4, 16

$100 flexi for 11.5 per cent

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1, 2, 7

Race 8: 1, 4

Race 9: 1, 5, 8, 9

Race 10: 3, 4, 16

$100 flexi for 138 per cent

Smart three-year-old Maharba will chase another stakes win at his Melbourne return at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 1: 12:10PM ROBERT CRAM SPRINT (1100m)

Good conditions will greet the runners at Flemington. Doesn’t look to be a lot of speed in the first, which will suit RED HOT NICC (1), who can improve sharply on his first-up effort at The Valley. CAUSE FOR CONCERN (2) will find this easier than his competitive effort at Group 3 level last time out. BEWS (13) was narrowly beaten in a good form race last time but could bounce back. FASUTO (8) is a first-up winner that trialled well at Cranbourne.

SUGGESTED BET: Red Hot Nicc each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Cause For Concern $5 – $4.80.

RACE 2: 12:40PM THE MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL ON SALE NOW (2500m)

SHAIYHAR (8) showed his quality with a dominant win over 2000m and has been kept fresh for this. He’s trialled since that run and the 2500m won’t be an issue. UNITED NATIONS (10) ran on well over this trip at The Valley and will be fitter again. INTERPRETATION (2) will be better again for two solid runs at The Valley and will enjoy the bigger track. SERPENTINE (1) resumed with a solid second in Sydney and will be improved.

SUGGESTED BET: Shaiyhar to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Shaiyhar $3 – $2.50.

RACE 3: 1:15PM LISTED THE SOFITEL (1400m)

Not a lot of obvious speed here, which will suit ANTINO (2), who is unbeaten first-up and has an impressive record over 1400m. KING MAGNUS (1) chased well behind an on-pace winner fresh and should go well again here. CLIMBING STAR (8) was narrowly beaten in an easier race at Caulfield first-up but was Group-placed last spring so could measure up. KALINO (4) ran on well when up to 1400m at Caulfield and should be closing late.

SUGGESTED BET: Antino to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Antino $2.70 – $2.30.

RACE 4: 1:50PM LISTED WINNING EDGE PRESENTATIONS POSEIDON STAKES (1100m)

Good race but MAHARBA (5) is over the odds here first-up after scoring impressively down the straight last time in before racing competitively against the Golden Slipper winner in Sydney. He trialled well leading up to this. I AM UNSTOPPABLE (6) ran on well when narrowly beaten first-up and that form stood up in Sydney last Saturday. KING’S GAMBIT (3) was competitive against the best two-year-olds last time in and should measure up. BARBER (1) is unbeaten first-up and will be thereabouts.

SUGGESTED BET: Maharba each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: I Am Unstoppable $6 – $5.

The Peter Moody-trained filly Legacies should relish a step up in distance when she heads to Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 5: 2:30PM LISTED EXFORD PLATE (1400m)

Difficult contest for punters but LEGACIES (15) is a deserved favourite after her solid first-up effort against the colts at Caulfield. She’ll get the perfect run. KING OF FIGHTERS (11) has started his career with two solid efforts and will be improved. NEARING LIBERTY (13) ran on well at Sandown and will enjoy 1400m. LE ZEBRA (1) was outsprinted first-up but has a good 1400m record.

SUGGESTED BET: Legacies to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Legacies $3 – $2.15.

RACE 6: 3:05 LISTED CAP D’ANTBES STAKES (1100m)

A big field will charge down the straight here but SKIRT THE LAW (3) will be hard to hold out after running the impressive filly Charm Stone to a head at Caulfield first-up. She’ll be fitter for this. CIGAR FLICK (10) raced handy and boxed on well in Sydney last time out and drops in class here. ESTRIELLA (15) showed speed and tried hard at Group 2 level last start and will find this suitable. ULANOVA (1) will be a lot better for her first-up run at Caulfield.

SUGGESTED BET: Skirt The Law to win.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Skirt The Law $4 – $3.70.

RACE 7: 3:40PM GROUP 1 PFD FOOD SERVICES MAKYBE DIVA STAKES (1600m)

The day’s smallest field should produce an intriguing contest. Going with MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) again after an impressive effort to win the Memsie Stakes after racing wide last time out. ALLIGATOR BLOOD (1) will be fitter for a good first-up run and should control the tempo from the front. PRINCESS GRACE (7) impressed in the Memsie Stakes and will be fitter. OSIPENKO (6) will be competitive again.

SUGGESTED BET: Box First Four 1, 2, 6, 7.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Mr Brightside $2.15 – $1.90.

Benedetta and jockey Daniel Stackhouse will again combine in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 8: 4:20PM GROUP 2 LET’S ELOPE STAKES (1400m)

Melbourne racing fans will get their first look at WA star AMELIA’S JEWEL (1) in this mares’ event and she should be too classy for her rivals despite drawing wide. CASTE (4) is a quality mare that can go to another level this time in. WROTE TO ARATAKI (6) ran on well at Caulfield first-up but will race on the speed over 1400m. LIFE LESSONS (14) made good ground first-up and will be much fitter.

SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 1 / 4, 6, 14/ 4, 6, 14.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Amelia’s Jewel $2.30 – $1.75.

RACE 9: 4:55PM GROUP 2 BOBBIE LEWIS QUALITY (1200m)

BENEDETTA (8) steps up to Group 2 class against the males on Saturday but she has returned in great order and won down the straight first-up. MINSK MOMENT (9) returns to the Chris Waller camp from a stint in Perth but impressed in a recent Flemington jumpout. STAR PATROL (5) won well first-up and has an excellent record down the Flemington straight. KING OF SPARTA (1) was competitive in top sprints last time in and has trialled well.

SUGGESTED BET: Benedetta to win & a small play on Minsk Moment.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Benedetta $2.80 – $2.40

RACE 10: 5:25PM AUSTRALIAN CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION PLATE (1700m)

Not a lot of obvious pace in the last at Flemington, which could help SIBAAQ (4) improve on his second-up effort at Caufield while blinkers go back on for this. Import CARINI (16) chased well in a good form race at Caulfield and will be fitter. MAKRAM (3) did his best work late at Caulfield first-up and is unbeaten over 1700m. SUIZURO (11) has drawn to race on the pace, where he has performed best in the past.

SUGGESTED BET: Sibaaq each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Devoted $5 – $3.40

Originally published as Brad Waters tips and best bets for Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes races at Flemington