Chances are you're about to lose.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
The opening Group 1 mile race of the spring sees a cast of top-tier weight-for-age stars descend on Flemington this Saturday and Races.com.au are here with our full Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 field preview, tips and best bets as we continue towards the majors.
A race known for producing some of the country’s premier middle-distance gallopers, the Group 1 $750,00 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) features another cracking line-up this season including three-time defending champion Mr Brightside.
Lindsay Park‘s stable stalwart made history last year posting his incredible third straight Makybe Diva Stakes victory and now the evergreen nine-year-old returns second-up looking to add to his tally.
Despite his years, the popular Bullbars gelding made a lovely return to racing in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago running a distant but brave second to runaway winner Beiwacht showing he wasn’t done with racing just yet.
The step up to the mile now is ideal as he prepares to return to a track and trip he’s been so dominant over throughout his phenomenally consistent career.
Saturday marks the grand old warhorse’s 50th start and it is Blake Shinn taking the mount with Craig Williams opting to ride another horse in the Makybe Diva Stakes field this year.
Currently Mr Brightside pays $10 in Makybe Diva Stakes betting at Ladbrokes to return to winning form for the first time since claiming the hat-trick in this 12 months ago.
The red-hot favourite he’ll have to dig deep to deny is the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Sheza Alibi who is odds-on at $1.65 to salute second-up and secure her third Group 1 trophy.
The now four-year-old daughter of Saxon Warrior was an autumn revelation taking out the Randwick Guineas – Doncaster Mile double over the 1600m at Randwick, and she’s now out to continue her unbeaten record over the distance.
Fresh in her highly anticipated return she was running on strongly late to cross 1.39 lengths back second behind superstar Autumn Glow in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) in Sydney.
She now heads south fitter for the run and set to relish the extra furlong with Luke Nolen continuing associations from gate seven.
At her only other run at HQ as a filly Sheza Alibi put a big margin on her rivals in the Group 3 Vanity last November, so she ticks the course box and oozes class.
The only other runner at single figure Makybe Diva Stakes odds of $4.50 is the resuming Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Sir Delius who is the all-in favourite to claim Ladbrokes Cox Plate glory this October.
He takes his first step towards that $6 million goal on the weekend and steals Mr Brightside’s regular rider, Craig Williams, for his first-up spring assignment.
The six-year-old Frankel entire remains lightly raced for his age due to career setbacks along the journey but has been huge already this year having enjoyed a profitable autumn prep.
He was a back-to-back third placegetter at the top level in the Verry Elleegant Stakes and Ranvet behind Waller mares Autumn Glow and Aeliana respectively before returning to his best for a powerhouse two-length romp home in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth at Randwick during ‘The Championships’.
Having looked the goods with two eye-catching trial wins in Sydney ahead of Saturday’s trip south, Sir Delius is already a Group 1 winner at Flemington in last year’s Turnbull Stakes with the only query being the 1600m as he’s yet to win over anything less than 1800m.
So, will Sheza Alibi thump them as the markets expect? Can Mr B get the crowd going with another victory? Or is there value elsewhere?
All will be revealed when the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes runs as Flemington Race 8 at 4:20pm (AEST) on Saturday’s 10-race card.
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Tips & Best Bets
Favourite: No. 12 Sheza Alibi
SHEZA ALIBI (7) comes into the race as the standout pick, and with Autumn Glow absent, the path looks far clearer for the star mare to assert her class. A genuine 1600m specialist, she’s three-from-three at the mile and famously became the first filly in almost three decades to win the Doncaster, stamping herself as one of the elite performers of her generation. Her Winx Stakes return was full of merit — settling midfield and charging late for a brave second — and she now steps into a scenario that plays perfectly to her strengths. Flemington experience is limited, but she was a dominant winner here last spring before rolling straight into a Sandown Guineas triumph over the boys, proving her versatility and toughness. She’s also unbeaten second-up, arrives fitter, and retains Luke Nolen, who labelled her comeback “terrific” and clearly has full faith in her. Last prep she exploded second-up to put more than three lengths on Autumn Boy in the Randwick Guineas, a performance that reads exceptionally well for this assignment. From the draw she has options, likely landing midfield with plenty of room to build momentum, and with her trademark late surge she’s poised to launch hard and put a real gap on them.
| 12. Sheza Alibi (7) J: Luke Nolen 56.5kg 111×2T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 56.5kg at $3.50. Previously second-up scored a big 3 len win in the G1 Randwick Guineas on March 7 over 1600m defeating Autumn Boy with 54.5kg at $2.10. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 1 Mr Brightside
MR BRIGHTSIDE (2) remains the crowd favourite in spirit, and if Sheza Alibi happens to be even slightly off her game, the evergreen nine-year-old is the one most capable of capitalising. His Memsie return showed he’s lost none of his trademark fight — rolling forward, travelling sweetly, and only being outkicked late by the rising star Beiwacht after a long 10-month break. It was exactly the sort of fresh run you want to see from a seasoned WFA warrior. Now he returns to the Flemington mile, a course and distance he thrives at, boasting a superb record of 12:5-2-1. He’s also a noted improver with a run under the belt, owning an outstanding second-up profile (9:7-1-0) that makes him a major threat again. Last year he created history by securing his third win in this race, putting 1.5 lengths on Aeliana, and his current form suggests he’s right back in that zone. Even with Craig Williams opting for Sir Delius this time, Mr Brightside’s class, consistency and love of the mile keep him firmly in the mix. Expect him to run another bold race and be right in the frame when it matters.
Best Value: No. 10 Treasurethe Moment
TREASURETHE MOMENT (10) looks terrific value at double-figure odds, especially for a mare with her résumé — a four-time Group 1 winner and a proven Flemington specialist who consistently delivers at the highest level. From her VRC Oaks triumph in 2024 to that emphatic 2.5 length Memsie Stakes victory over Mr Brightside the following year, she’s shown time and again that she can adapt to any tempo and rise to elite company. Her autumn Sunline Stakes win was the last time she crossed the line first, but her fourth in the Memsie to kick off this prep was far better than it reads. She copped interference late yet still stuck on bravely, and the return to Headquarters is a major plus — she’s won three of four here and clearly thrives down at Flemington. Second-up is historically her sweet spot (5:4-1-0), and Damian Lane knows exactly how to get the best out of her. From the wider alley she’s likely to roll forward, control the tempo, and make them chase. With fitness on her side and conditions to suit, she shapes as one of the big improvers and a genuine threat to run them off their legs.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Same Race Multi
$11.50 at time of publish through Ladbrokes (at time of publish)
- To Win – No. 12 Sheza Alibi
- Top 3 – No. 1 Mr Brightside
- Top 4 – No. 10 Treasurethe Moment
