A quality field has been assembled for the Group 1 2020 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, with 12 Group 1 winners set to lock horns for the $750,000 in prize money.
The track is predicted to be a Good 4 with the rail in the true, though there is some expected rain in the afternoon that could see the track downgraded to a Soft 5 or Soft 6, so keep an eye out on the day.
1 – Vow And Declare – $51
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner had a disappointing autumn preparation, and resumes here without a trial. This will be a barrier trial for another Cups run later in the spring, and the price seems about right.
It’s the AUSSIE!!! Vow And Declare has won the #MelbourneCup.
What a moment, what a race… pic.twitter.com/DvAoinx0cp
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 5, 2019
2 – Gailo Chop – $91
He’ll set the pace and connections will be praying the heavens open for this old mudlark. Is a very honest competitor and has had a great career, but it’s hard to get enthused with the brilliance of some others in the field.
3 – Harlem – $41
Resumed reasonably well in the Memsie Stakes but will be looking for further than the mile, and isn’t quite up to this.
4 – Fierce Impact – $5.50 ???
Had a good hit out in the Winx Stakes first up, and has been training for the mile. Should settle just off the speed or midfield at worst with Mark Zahra onboard, and will take a power of beating with the fitness edge over some of the other fancies.
5 – Gatting – $51
Can lightning strike twice? Last year’s $101 winner should roll forward and make his own luck, but would need everything to go his way to make it back-to-back wins.
6 – Levendi – $151
2018 Australian Derby winner. Had three runs in autumn without showing much and will be interested to see where this galloper goes. Not here.
7 – Kings Will Dream – $10 ??
Big run in the P.B. Lawrence first up and will enjoy the step up in trip. Will be even better over 2000m but I think he’s definitely worth including in exotics, can see him running a place.
8 – So Si Bon – $27
20 starts in Group 1 races without a win, and this doesn’t look like the one to break that unfortunate record. Can’t entertain.
9 – Master Of Wine – $11 ??
This is one of the most interesting watches in the race for mine. At his best he could certainly take this out. I wasn’t as worried as some by his first up run in the Winx Stakes, was ridden upside down in a hot tempo for a returning stayer. Would want to show improvement here for his Cups run and I’d include in exotics.
10 – Warning – $61
Returning stayer who will be looking for longer, can’t see there being much intent here.
11 – Dalasan – $9.50
It was an ugly watch last start getting rolled at $1.40 odds in a very average race at Morphettville. Would want to turn in a better performance here, but I can’t get excited at the single figure odds.
12 – Quick Thinker – $34 ?
The Australian Derby winner will be better over longer but has enough tactical speed to be put into the race. If wound up enough could certainly run a place, especially if we’re dealing with a soft track at this point in the day.
13 – Russian Camelot – $3.60 ???
Was a bit of a lottery regarding what price we’d get here. First up over the mile against race fit horses isn’t a great set up, especially with the wide gate. However, we’re talking about a horse with bags of ‘X factor’, a horse some people were calling the best colt since So You Think. If you’re betting on the race you can’t leave him out, could very well make a mess of this field and be crunched in the Cox Plate market.
14 – Perfect Jewel – $6.50 ???
One of Bob Peters’ western invaders, won well at Caulfield after a 9-week let up after crossing The Nullabor. Ticks a lot of boxes and is just a little short for mine, but it’s very hard to knock her and I wouldn’t talk you out of backing her. Must include in your numbers.
15 – Princess Jenni – $51 ?
This talented mare looked overs at the big price, loves the mile and has 3 wins from 4 attempts when second up. I think she’ll get on the back of Kings Will Dream or even Russian Camelot, and could give you a sight for a place for an each way play.
16 – Miami Bound – $31
Worked home well first up at The Valley, but this should just be another barrier trial to get miles into the legs for targets later in the spring.
Tip: 4-13-14-7
? = Must Watch
? = Big Winning Chance
? = Worth Including in Exotics
2020 Makybe Diva Stakes Odds
*Odds correct at time of posting this article
| Horse | Win | Place | ||
| 1 | Vow And Declare (11)J: Craig Williams 59kg T: D T O’brien | $41.00 | $8.50 | Bet Now |
| 2 | Gailo Chop (3)J: John Allen 59kg T: M J Williams | $61.00 | $13.00 | Bet Now |
| 3 | Harlem (6)J: Jamie Mott 59kg T: T Dabernig & B Hayes | $34.00 | $7.50 | Bet Now |
| 4 | Fierce Impact (5)J: Mark Zahra 59kg T: Matthew Smith | $4.80 | $1.95 | Bet Now |
| 5 | Gatting (4)J: Luke Nolen 59kg T: P G Moody | $41.00 | $8.50 | Bet Now |
| 6 | Levendi (1)J: Jason Maskiell 59kg T: Peter Gelagotis | $126.00 | $26.00 | Bet Now |
| 7 | Kings Will Dream (15)J: Jye Mcneil 59kg T: C J Waller | $10.00 | $3.30 | Bet Now |
| 8 | So Si Bon (16)J: Daniel Stackhouse 59kg T: T Dabernig & B Hayes | $26.00 | $6.00 | Bet Now |
| 9 | Master Of Wine (10)J: Michael Rodd 59kg T: M, W & J Hawkes | $11.00 | $3.50 | Bet Now |
| 10 | Warning (9)J: Billy Egan 58.5kg T: A & S Freedman | $51.00 | $10.00 | Bet Now |
| 11 | Dalasan (8)J: Jordan Childs 58.5kg T: L Macdonald & A Gluyas | $9.00 | $3.00 | Bet Now |
| 12 | Quick Thinker (13)J: Michael Dee 58.5kg T: M Baker & A Forsman | $34.00 | $7.50 | Bet Now |
| 13 | Russian Camelot (14)J: Damien Oliver 57.5kg T: D T O’brien | $3.70 | $1.65 | Bet Now |
| 14 | Perfect Jewel (2)J: William Pike 57kg T: G & A Williams | $6.00 | $2.25 | Bet Now |
| 15 | Princess Jenni (12)J: Ethan Brown 57kg T: D R Brideoake | $41.00 | $8.50 | Bet Now |
| 16 | Miami Bound (7)J: Ben Melham 56.5kg T: D T O’brien | $26.00 | $6.00 | Bet Now |
