A host of potential Caulfield Cup-bound horses are accepted for an early spring clash at Flemington Racecourse this weekend in the 2017 Makybe Diva Stakes.

Black Heart Bart is one of three 2017 Makybe Diva Stakes horses for last year’s winning trainer Darren Weir at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Running as Flemington Race 7 at 4:15pm (AEST), an hour after Winx runs Sydney’s 2017 George Main Stakes, this year’s Group 1 $750,000 Group 1 PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) has drawn a 12-horse field.

Sure-to-be favourite in the updated Makybe Diva Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au drawn in gate eight with Kerrin McEvoy to ride is Godolphin’s early Caulfield Cup top weight Hartnell.

The in-form seven-year-old Authorized import was in fine form during the autumn and came back on August 19 getting his spring underway in fine style with a Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) win by over two lengths at Caulfield.

He looks to continue that hot spring form second-up on the weekend returning to Flemington where he won last year’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) two runs before his Melbourne Cup third.

Favourites have a poor recent record in the Makybe Diva Stakes however with Dissident (2014) the only other to salute with Weekend Hussler (2008) since 2002.

If Hartnell doesn’t fire then rival trainer Darren Weir is there in force saddling-up three horses in the Makybe Diva Stakes field including Black Heart Bart.

A fellow seven-year-old, former W.A. sprint star Black Heat Bart jumps one closer to the fence from barrier seven with Brad Rawiller in the saddle.

Two back the five-time Group 1 champion was third in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes and comes into Saturday’s race off a smart second to Vega Magic in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).

The Memsie Stakes has produced two of the past three Makybe Diva Stakes winners including Palentino (5^th) last year, who was also prepared by Weir.

Weir’s other chances at going back-to-back in the race as a trainer for the first time since David Hayes (2004-5) are the rails-drawn Gailo Chop who won a Group 1 at the track during the 2015 Melbourne Cup Carnival and Humidor chasing his first win since defeated Jameka in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) back in March.

A number of standout staying four-year-olds are also in the mix including Tony McEvoy’s reigning Australian Guineas winner at the same track / distance Hey Doc who is out to improve on a Memsie Stakes fourth and Jon Snow.

Prepared across the Tasman by Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Jon Snow won Sydney’s Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) as a three-year-old and is second-up this weekend after a close sixth beaten only three lengths as a $61 roughie in the Memsie Stakes.

Check out the full Makybe Diva Stakes 2017 field, barriers and jockeys in the table below before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au to back your weekend racing selections at the hottest odds.

2017 Makybe Diva Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw

Flemington Race 7 (4:15pm) – 16/09/2017