Enver Jusufovic chasing second Group 1 win with Pinstriped in Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington

A breakthrough Group 1 win could be the stepping stone to another top level triumph for Enver Jusufovic and stable star Pinstriped in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

Cranbourne trainer Enver Jusufovic wouldn’t mind feeling flat again in the days after Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Jusufovic’s maiden Group 1 triumph in the Memsie Stakes took more out of him than stable star Pinstriped, who rolled last year’s winner Mr Brightside in the Caulfield feature.

“I’m still enjoying the moment. Has it sunk in? It’s getting there,” Jusufovic said.

“It was more of a relief after the race.

“I was flat for three days with just the enormity of it all.”

"EJ you've done it! You're a Group 1 star!"

Pinstriped spoils the party & gives @jusufovicracing his first G1 winner! 👔@bennallen44pic.twitter.com/jlRSS1HBU6

— Racing.com (@Racing) August 31, 2024

Jusufovic now knows what to expect if Pinstriped can roll a smart field in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

Pinstriped started at double-figure odds in the Memsie Stakes but TAB rated the powerful gelding an $8 chance to post his second straight Group 1 win.

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Jusufovic said the addition of the Chris Waller-trained Group 1 winners Via Sistina ($2.20 fav) and Atishu ($15) added depth to an eight-horse field already featuring local stars Mr Brightside ($3.90) and Pride Of Jenni ($6).

Throw in runaway Queensland Derby winner Warmonger and Caulfield and Melbourne Cup leading hope Circle Of Fire and it leaves classy Queenslander Antino as the only Makybe Diva Stakes runner not to have scored at the highest level.

But Jusufovic said Pinstriped has improved again for the harder assignment.

“I think he’s worthy of being in this race but there’s more depth with the addition of the Chris Waller-trained runners,” Jusufovic said.

“They have all had a run in now so they are all fitter.

“You can’t hide in these races now and they’re all pretty strong but I’m really happy with where he’s at.

“We know in these Group 1 races you’ve got to have them pretty spot on.

“He’s still improving.”

Pinstriped (left) and Mr Brightside (right) will again do battle in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

While Jusufovic said he had Pinstriped in career-best shape, he remained mindful the five-year-old’s condition faded after he won the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at The Valley last spring.

The trainer said the experience of last spring would guide his decision-making for the rest off Pinstriped’s campaign.

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“It will be a goal of mine to keep him going for the entire spring,” Jusufovic said.

“I continually get asked, ‘what’s his grand final?’ and I always say that we’ll see how he pulls up before I decide which way we’ll go.

“I suppose last year threw us a bit of a curve ball when we won the ticket to the Cox Plate and that became the focus.

“It sort of distorted my training a little bit but, in saying that, towards the end of his prep, his body maybe wasn’t strong enough to fulfil such a long prep and he got exposed.

“I’m on track to say that it’s less likely to happen this year.”

Jockey Ben Allen will stick with Pinstriped in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

Originally published as Enver Jusufovic chasing second Group 1 win with Pinstriped in Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington