Horse Racing

The next thrilling spring showdown is scheduled to light up the Flemington track this Saturday with a field of turf stars lining up in the $400,000 Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

A capacity final field of 16 weight-for-age gallopers have been entered in the 2010 Makybe Diva Stakes, which is the latest Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival feature.

Topliners in the Makybe Diva Stakes include many horses heading towards the 2010 Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2, with Saturday’s race sure to serve as an early Cup guide for punters.

Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Shocking is having their second spring start on Saturday following a first-up seventh to Shoot Out in the JJ Liston Stakes.

The Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking, currently the $15 second favourite at Sportsbet to make it back-to-back success in the Melbourne Cup this year, has drawn barrier nine in the Makybe Diva Stakes and will be ridden by Michael Rodd.

International raider Alandi, who was the 58kg topweight when the 2010 Melbourne Cup weights were released yesterday, will resume racing in the Makybe Diva on Saturday.

Owned by Lloyd Williams, the 2009 Irish St Leger winner has drawn well with barrier six and is currently at $21 to win the Melbourne Cup through Sportsbet despite having received the hefty handicap.

Williams also has $51 Melbourne Cup chance C’est La Guerre starting in the Makybe Diva along with Mourayan who is at $41 in the Cup markets at Sportsbet, but don’t expect too much from these star European gallopers on Saturday with Williams expecting them to peak closer to Cup time.

Last start winner of the Group 3 Spring Stakes, Rebel Raider is another interesting contender for Saturday seeking a spot in the Melbourne Cup final field.

The dual Derby winner is at the top end of the ante-post Melbourne Cup markets at Sportsbet paying $19.

Other horses starting in the Makybe Diva Stakes on Saturday include Chris Waller’s Warwick Stakes third placegetter Danleigh and long-shot chances for the 150^th Melbourne Cup Master O’Reilly and the Anthony Cummings-trained Zavite, both drawn out wide.

Flemington’s Makybe Diva Stakes Day boats a bumper race-card with other highlights at the meeting being the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) featuring Magic Millions winner Military Rose, Group 2 Lets Elope Stakes (1400m) where 2010 Melbourne Cup favourite Dariana will resume racing and the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m).

Meanwhile, over in Sydney Randwick are also hosting an elite day of racing with the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) where Chris Wallers’ Warwick Stakes winner Metal Bender will start the favourite at Sportsbet, and Group 2 Furious Stakes (1400m) for three-year-old fillies headlining the programme.

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2010 Makybe Diva Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw