Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Mr Brightside (black cap) storms home to grab Pride Of Jenni and win the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: George Sal/Getty Images.

Mr Brightside was back to his best when taking out the $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Mr Brightside wins the Makybe Diva Stakes! 👑

That's SEVEN Group 1 victories for the champion gelding.

Congratulations to the team and connections @[e-mail]/2BnxNpVi6l

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 14, 2024

The win was Mr Brightside’s 17th from 36 starts and took his earnings to more than $14 million.

Mr Brightside is a seven-year-old gelding by Bullbars, he was ridden by Craig Williams and is trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

1st – MR BRIGHTSIDE (Craig Williams) He’s a sensational horse. The Hayes’ have done a great job with this horse. I was very bullish about his chances today. The way he felt, the way he pulled up. It was a harder slow today but he’s got that tenacity to win. He’s an amazing racehorse. What I love about this horse. I was here since his third ever race start. I think we wasted three rating points on a horse like him. And now he’s a finished product, once he got to weight-for-age they were just a bit stronger and better than him. Now he’s one of the best milers in Australia. He is an absolute delight.

2nd – PRIDE OF JENNI (Declan Bates) Feeling a bit flat just because we got beat. In terms of the mare, I’m delighted with her. She felt herself, she put in a massive effort. She gets through the conditions but her wheels were spinning a bit, as in she didn’t love it, but it was her toughness that almost held her out. Good on Mr Brightside, we were beaten by a very good horse, but the main thing is, she’s come back in really good order.

3rd – ANTINO (Blake Shinn) He ran his guts out to run third, beaten by two superstars. He jumped well, put himself in the spot to give himself every chance and ran well.

4th – WARMONGER (Michael Dee) Extremely happy with him. He came under pressure and hit a bit of a flat spot, but his last two furlongs were great. A super effort first-up.

5th – VIA SISTINA (James McDonald) She just had a bit of an off day. I thought she was going alright, but once I wheeled her out she failed to quicken.

6th – ATISHU (Damian Lane) She just hated the conditions. She has gone well on wet before, but she just struggled in that real heavy ground today. She never got into the race and is better than that. I think she will come on from the run.

7th – PINSTRIPED (Ben Allen) I thought he’d handle the heavy, but he struggled to pick his feet up. He got into a good spot, but it was too testing for him.

8th – CIRCLE OF FIRE (Mark Zahra) Too keen early and didn’t finish off.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes