On Saturday the beautiful Flemington racecourse in Melbourne will feature the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes ran over 1600 metres.
In 2007 this race was named in honour of the famous triple Melbourne Cup champion horse Makybe Diva. It was originally a Group 2 race but was upgraded to Group 1 status at the start of the 2013-2014 racing season.
Here are my top eight horses to watch.
1. Fawkner – Barrier 14
This horse will be running its first race of 2015, it last ran in last year’s Melbourne Cup where he ended the race in 10th out of 22 horses. He has proven to be an impressive horse in past race meetings and he will be up the front after the start. Even though it’s been a while since he has raced, he is a good chance to place.
3. Boban – Barrier 4
This horse is trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Glyn Schofield and is looking to build on his win at the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield two weeks ago. Bookies will be backing this horse as favourite and I would be too after that performance. Will be in the race right from the start.
6. Weary – Barrier 13
Put in a massive run at Caulfied in the Memsie Stakes two weeks ago to end in fourth position. It’s likely this horse will be in a better position after the start; if he can keep that position until the straight then he might win or place.
9. Entirely Platinum – Barrier 15
Came second in the Memsie Stakes. He is a strong racing horse that has the ability to beat Boban if he sticks at it up the front of the race. A certain placing going by the performance of two weeks ago.
10. Mongolian Khan – Barrier 7
Very impressive horse on paper winning four of his last five runs that have all been ran at 2000 metres or more. He has a winning range of 1400-2400 metres. As this is a shorter distance race than his recent previous runs, it will be interesting if that plays a factor.
11. Volkstok’n’Barrell – Barrier 16
A horse I backed in the Memsie Stakes two weeks ago as the winner but failed to impress, only placing seventh. However I will give him another go in this race because I still think he is impressive, especially when Craig Williams in in charge.
13. Hi World – Barrier 17
A Peter Moody-trained horse who won some good races in Sydney over autumn. He came fifth in the Memsie Stakes, however he might find this race a bit harder and the next step up. With the class jockey of Kerrin McEvoy in charged, however, anything is possible.
14. Alphine Eagle – Barrier 12
Has placed in all of his last five races, however this will be a tougher race for him. He has been backed short by bookies so he is no doubt one to watch and possibly one to back.
My final tips
1. Entirely Platinum
2. Boban
3. Volkstok’n’barrel
4. Weary
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