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2024 Makybe Diva Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections

Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the nine runners in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

Clinton Payne
2 min read
September 12, 2024 - 8:08AM
Group 1 Preview Makybe Diva Stakes

The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes has drawn together some of Australia’s best weight-for-age gallopers, with nine runners to contest the 1600m weight-for-age contest.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up in the $750,000 feature at Flemington on Saturday.

• Pinstriped ‘still improving’ in back-to-back Group 1 bid

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1 – MR BRIGHTSIDE

Star galloper that was far from disgraced when gunned down late first-up in the Memsie Stakes. He’s a four-time second-up winner from six previous and he’s 10 from 17 over the mile. On the downside, his strike rate drops significantly at Flemington.

VERDICT: One of the leading contenders.

2 – PINSTRIPED

Caused the first Group 1 surprise of the spring when proving too good for a quality field in the Memsie Stakes. He’s a three-time winner at the mile from eight starts while he’s two from eight at Flemington. Last prep, he was solid third-up in the Toorak when only half-a-kilo from topweight.

VERDICT: Has each-way claims.

3 – CIRCLE OF FIRE

Imported stayer that came a long way in a short time when winning the Sydney Cup in his first Aussie campaign during the autumn. Has trialled three times ahead of his return, struggling to keep up on each occasion. Look for him to be doing his best work late.

VERDICT: These will be too sharp for him.

4 – ANTINO

His barrier manners are his worst enemy. First-up in the Memsie he had to get going early after being slowly away, ran the fastest 800 to 600m and 600 to 400m splits before his condition gave out. He’s two wins and two seconds in four 1600m starts. Jamie Kah off, Blake Shinn on.

VERDICT: If he doesn’t give them a start, he’s in the mix.

5 – WARMONGER

Cups type resuming at four. Won the Batman Stakes at Flemington last spring, the same 1800m three-year-old race that launched Vow And Declare back in 2018, then made a statement in the back end of the season he won the Queensland Derby by 10 lengths. He’s looked fairly sharp in his trials.

VERDICT: If there’s a surprise placegetter, this is the horse.

6 – PRIDE OF JENNI

The market ($3.20 to $2.90) says she was disappointing first-up in the Memsie Stakes when fifth of eight runners, but her first-up record now reads 8:0-2-1 so maybe the punters got it wrong? Does improve sharply second-up (7:2-3-1) and excellent Flemington figures over the mile (3:2-0-0).

VERDICT: Entitled to another chance.

7 – ATISHU

High class mare that was doing her best work late in the Winx Stakes – only Via Sistina and Fangirl ran faster last 600m splits, and only Via Sistina and Riff Rocket ran a better last 200m split. She has very good Flemington and 1600m record and improves sharply second-up.

VERDICT: Quality mare that can give a sight.

8 – VIA SISTINA

Launched her spring with an outstanding win when charging home over the top of them in the Winx Stakes in the inferior ground. Good second-up figures and drawn to get favours. Interesting stat: Via Sistina is zero from three racing anti clockwise.

VERDICT: The horse to beat off her first-up win.

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TIPS
1st – ATISHU (No. 7)
2nd – VIA SISTINA (No. 8)
3rd – MR BRIGHTSIDE (No. 1)
4th – PRIDE OF JENNI (No. 6)

Originally published as 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing/vic-racing/2024-makybe-diva-stakes-runnerbyrunner-form-assessments-and-selections/news-story/ac883382d272d90d3c36a3bab90da9f9