The Makybe Diva Stakes is one of Flemington’s premier early-spring mile features, and Races.com.au readers are already tuning into the latest Makybe Diva Stakes odds and expert Makybe Diva Stakes betting tips as the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival kicks into gear. Run over 1600 metres at weight-for-age, the Group 1 sets the stage for elite milers and resuming stayers heading towards the major Cups and Cox Plate targets. With proven stars, rising talents and big-name stables all converging on Flemington, the Makybe Diva Stakes consistently delivers high-class racing, strong tempo, and market-shaping performances — giving punters a crucial early read on which horses are ready to peak, and which are building towards the spring’s biggest prizes.

2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes results and finishing order and to see what horses may have the Ladbrokes Cox Plate in sight this spring.

• 1st: No. 12 Sheza Alibi ($1.60F)
• 2nd: No. 8 Autumn Boy
• 3rd: No. 7 Another Wil

Winning Margin: 2.75 lengths

Winning Time: 1:35.34

Sheza Alibi ($1.60F) reaffirmed her status as one of Australia’s premier milers with a dominant second-up victory in the 2026 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes results, producing a professional and controlled performance to claim her third elite win over the 1600m. The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained mare travelled comfortably throughout before quickening decisively at the top of the straight, drawing clear to defeat Autumn Boy by 2.75 lengths, with $101 roughie Another Wil running a bold third. Her latest success adds to a growing résumé that already includes the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile and further cements her position as one of the headline acts of the spring. With her blend of tactical speed, maturity and a powerful finishing burst, Sheza Alibi now shapes as a major force heading into the next phase of the carnival, whether connections elect to pursue the Golden Eagle, the Cox Plate, or the Epsom Handicap. The Group 1 $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) is the most likely target and Sheza Alibi is into outright $1.60 favouritism in 2026 Golden Eagle futures betting at Ladbrokes to win the 4YO’s feature on October 31.

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Makybe Diva Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Tips on the mile showdown this spring racing season.

Check out our full 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Preview, Tips & Best Bets.

• To Win: No. 12 Sheza Alibi

• Each Way Danger: No. 1 Mr Brightside

• Best Value: No. 10 Treasurethe Moment

Makybe Diva Stakes News

Golden Eagle Target for 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Winner Sheza Alibi

• Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Field Preview, Tips & Best Bets
• 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes Results: Mr Brightside Wins Again, Beats Aeliana & Via Sistina
• 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes Field & Betting: Via Sistina Short Favourite to Beat Five Rivals
• 2025 Memsie Stakes Winner is Treasurethe Moment Fresh Over Mr Brightside
• 2025 Winx Stakes Results: Via Sistina Beats Aeliana, Arapaho Third

Run at Flemington Racecourse in early – mid September, the 1600m weight-for-age event attracts a star-studded line-up of milers and staying types. Currently offering $750,000 in prize money, the event is definitely one of the more exciting early spring features having been upgraded from Group 2 to elite level in 2013.

The Makybe Diva Stakes, named after the legendary three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, is the perfect lead-up race to the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) held at Caulfield two weeks later and the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) held at Flemington a month later. Incentivise (2021) is the last horse to complete the Makybe Diva Stakes – Turnbull Stakes double.

Formerly known as the Craiglee Stakes the current name was installed in 2007 and it is considered a major early feature on the spring line-up.

The form of the 2021 Makybe Diva Stakes was franked with the winner Incentivise going on to complete the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes – Caulfield Cup double at his next two starts before a second to Verry Elleegant in that year’s Melbourne Cup results.

The 2022 Makybe Diva Stakes form was franked with the winner I’m Thunderstruck going on to run top three in a host of subsequent Group 1 races including his second in that year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate. The runner-up Alligator Blood further franked the form saluting in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes next start along with the Group 1 Cantala Stakes at Flemington that Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Sadly, I’m Thunderstruck would go on to be euthanised in March of 2023 following arthroscopic fetlock surgery. He suffered a catastrophic knee injury whilst getting up after general anaesthetic.

In 2023 after completing the Memsie Stakes – Makybe Diva Stakes double, Mr Brightside continued to frank the form with a host of subsequent Group 1 placings including a Cox Plate second. He also returned in the autumn of 2024 to do the CF Orr Stakes – Futurity Stakes double.

Mr Brightside returned to successfully defend his title in the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes results becoming the first two-time champion since Sailor’s Guide (1956-57) and the first since the race became a mile Group 1.

Mr Brightside went on to frank the 2024 Makybe Diva form running second in his next two starts before a Cox Plate fourth and Group 1 Champions Stakes success that Melbourne Cup Carnival. The Makybe Diva Stakes third placegetter in 2024, Antino, meanwhile went on to win that year’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap.

Mr Brightside returned for his historical third straight Makybe Diva Stakes victory in 2025. The 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes form lines proved elite with the runner-up, Aeliana, returning in the autumn of 2026 to complete the Ranvet Stakes – Tancred Stakes double, while the third placed Via Sistina would win the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes that spring before her retirement.

Fierce Impact ($4 in 2020), Mr Brightside ($1.85 in 2023) and ace mare Sheza Alibi ($1.60 in 2026) are the latest favourites in Makybe Diva Stakes betting to win.

Mr Brightside also won in 2024 at $3.50 with Via Sistina that year’s $2.60 favourite running a disappointing fifth over six lengths beaten.

Mr Brightside returned for a fourth Makybe Diva Stakes run in 2026 as a nine-year-old but only managed to run five lengths back seventh to the outstanding winner Sheza Alibi.

Makybe Diva Stakes Field

2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Form Guide

The Makybe Diva Stakes form guide is the essential tool Races.com.au punters use to break down every runner heading into Flemington’s early spring weight-for-age mile. Because this Group 1 regularly shapes the form for the major spring features — including the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup — the form guide helps you compare class, fitness, speed, and tactical setup to identify which horses are ready to peak and which are still building through their campaigns.

• What Punters Should Look for in the Makybe Diva Stakes Form Guide:
  Weight-for-age credentials — Horses proven at WFA level often hold a significant advantage at 1600m.
• Mile form — Strong 1600m performances, especially at Flemington, are a major indicator of competitiveness.
• First-up vs second-up profiles — Many runners improve sharply second-up; others peak fresh.
• Tempo and speed map — Identifying leaders, on-pacers and swoopers helps predict race shape and value in the Makybe Diva Stakes betting markets.
• Barrier draws — Flemington’s long run-in makes barriers less critical, but tactical positioning still matters.
• Spring targets — Horses heading to the Cups or Cox Plate may be building fitness rather than peaking here.
• Stable patterns — Leading trainers often use this race as a launching pad for their top WFA and staying prospects.
• Market movement — Early firmers can reveal stable confidence, strong trackwork or favourable race-shape predictions.

FULL 2026 MAKYBE DIVA STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Nominations

The official Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 nominations close the Monday of race week and will be published in full below for an early look at what WFA spring stars are targeting the important mile event.

The 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes nominations attracted 15 classy milers led in all-in betting by Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman’s class, dual Group 1 winning mare Sheza Alibi coming off a brave first-up second to Autumn Glow in Sydney’s Group 1 Winx Stakes.

2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Field

The Makybe Diva Stakes field attracts a host of early spring stars chasing an early Group 1 season win. Many gallopers come into the Makybe Diva Stakes field via a lead-up run over 1400m at Caulfield a fortnight earlier in the Memsie Stakes and the double was most recently completed by Dissident (2014) and Mr Brightside (2023).

Mr Brightside also won the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes off a lead-up second in the Memsie Stakes that spring.

In 2025 Mr Brightside again won the Makybe Diva after a first-up second in the Memsie Stakes.

The official 2026 Makybe Stakes field and barrier draw will be released the Wednesday leading up to Makybe Diva Stakes Day.

The Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 final field features another high-class field of WFA spring stars including historic three-time champion Mr Brightside chasing his incredible fourth straight win in the race as a nine-year-old.

Makybe Diva Stakes Barrier & Speedmap

1

Light Infantry Man Pace

2

Mr Brightside Pace

3

Buckaroo invalid settling lengths

3

Autumn Boy Midfield

4

Birdman invalid settling lengths

4

She's A Hustler Midfield

5

Sheza Alibi Midfield

6

Ohope Wins Backmarker

7

Sir Delius Pace

8

Treasurethe Moment Leader

9

Another Wil Midfield

10

Half Yours Backmarker

13

Aeliana invalid settling lengths

Makybe Diva Stakes History

First run in 1948 and won by Lungi, the Makybe Diva Stakes was originally titled the Craiglee Stakes until 2007. Raced over a 10 Furlong (2000m) track until 1964, the new distance ensures that all horses get a good run on the straight of Flemington.

The only double winners of the event are Chicquita in 1950-51, Sailor’s Guide in 1956-57, and the brilliant three-time champion Mr Brightside in 2023-25.

After his win in 2002, Northerly also went on to win the WS Cox Plate and Sky Heights managed to win the Caulfield Cup and Craiglee Stakes double in 1999. The fastest winning time was recorded by Jeune in 1995 with 1 minute 35 seconds. The slowest time was recorded by Fine Offer in 1985 with 1 minute 44.3 seconds.

The Makybe Diva Stakes was upgraded from Group 2 to Group 1 status in 2013. In 2015 Fawkner won the Makybe Diva Stakes and backed up to finish second in the Underwood Stakes next start.

In 2019 the Makybe Diva Stakes was won in a historical blowout with Gatting scoring an upset at 100/1. Sadly, the following year Gatting broke down during his title defence and was subsequently euthanised.

Sheza Alibi (2026) was the last mare to win the Makybe Diva Stakes.

Makybe Diva Stakes Previous Race Winners

Recent Makybe Diva Stakes Winners