Makybe Diva Stakes Day: feature race tips and previews

13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Author

CAMERON ROSE

EDITOR

MAKYBE DIVA STAKES - 1600m, Flemington R7

We’re starting to get into the thick of spring racing now, and from this Saturday until the end of November there is at least one Group 1 race every weekend, not to mention other spectacular races like the Everest and Golden Eagle.

Mr Brightside has emerged as potentially the best horse in Australia. Others vying for that title, like I Wish I Win and Giga Kick, have been beaten this spring, while Mr Brightside has won four in a row either side of a spell, including the All Star Mile, his second Doncaster, and the Lawrence Stakes and Memsie Stakes this campaign.

Not only did he win the Memsie, beating I Wish I Win and others, he did it sitting three wide on the speed without cover. He’s an incredibly versatile horse, handling all circuits, track conditions, fast races, slow races, racing forward, midfield or back, and there’s simply no doubt he has improved again this preparation.

Mr Brightside will start even money or a touch under, will park in second or third behind Alligator Blood, and should be even better at a mile than he has been over 1400m. He must be the one to beat.

Alligator Blood tackles Mr Brightside for the ninth time, with their record split 4-4 against each other. Alligator Blood couldn’t go with him in the Memsie, but was only first-up there and can be expected to take improvement. If Damien Oliver rates him to perfection in front, he can perhaps get the better of his old rival again.

Princess Grace has put in two excellent performances so far this campaign, twice finishing second at Group 1 WFA when not in the best part of the track, including to Mr Brightside in the Memsie. She’ll be camped right outside Mr Brightside, behind Alligator Blood, and these three are all good enough to win with the right run. She might just be the one that can keep the favourite in a pocket long enough to make things interesting.

Osipenko comes through the same races as Princess Grace, beaten by her stablemate both times. Staying at 1400m last time wasn’t in his best interests, and he’ll enjoy the step up to 1600m. He’ll have to give three top class horses a start though, and it’s hard to see things panning out to get past all of them.

Aegon has proven this level is a bit beyond him, and probably needs to find slightly lesser grade in order to win. Francesco Guardi and Spanish Mission are on staying paths, and will be running on.

Selections: 1.Mr Brightside 2.Princess Grace 3.Alligator Blood 4.Osipenko

Author
Cameron rose's Tip

MR BRIGHTSIDE

WIN

Pfd Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes 16 September 15:40
1. Mr Brightside Playup
Win
Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

LET'S ELOPE STAKES - 1400m, Flemington R8

On a day of outstanding racing in both Melbourne and Sydney, there will no more exciting horse being loaded into the barriers than boom Perth mare Amelia’s Jewel. What a great time of year it is for racing fans, particularly when there a gun three-year-old is stepping out for the first time at four.

Similar to Mr Brightside, Amelia’s Jewel will jump around even money. She only had a two run campaign in the autumn, targeted at The Quokka worth $4M, but over unsuitable distances of 1100m and 1200m – she was still dazzling in both runs, despite just being shaded last time out.

Kicking off here at the Flemington 1400m should be perfect for her, with the widest barrier being the only steadier. Still, she’ll have all the time in the world to unwind down the long straight, and íf she reproduces that previous form, it will be good enough to win.

However, Amelia’s Jewel isn’t the only exciting and untapped talent resuming in this race. Caste also fits the bill, having won four of six career starts, including her last three. Her last win was the best, in the Group 2 Queen of the South at Morphettville, rounding up a smart field in brilliant fashion. Prior to that she knocked off Royal Merchant, who would go onto win the Group 1 Goodwood. Who’s to say she can’t give the favourite a race?

Foxy Frida was in the form of her life last campaign, winning good races all over the country, from Bendigo to Adelaide to Brisbane. She’s one of those honest mares that you’d just love to own, knowing she’ll always be somewhere in the finish. Caste did have her measure when they last met, it must be said, and should also be the one with more upside.

Wrote To Arataki is another very good mare that is still improving. It’s been over a year since she ran worse than third in a race. She was excellent when running on from the back first-up behind the very smart Benedetta, and will be better suited pushing forward over a 1400m trip.

See You In Heaven is a classy customer that is always thereabouts. This will be her stiffest test yet, but that is true for most of this field, and she should measure up okay while still finding a few better.

Selections: 1.Amelia’s Jewel 2.Caste 3.Foxy Frida 4.Wrote to Arataki

Author
Cameron rose's Tip

AMELIA'S JEWEL

WIN

Furphy Let's Elope Stakes 16 September 16:20
1. Amelia's Jewel Playup
Win
Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

BOBBIE LEWIS QUALITY - 1200m, Flemington R9

For the third feature in a row, we have a gun horse strangling the market.

Benedetta won’t be as short as Mr Brightside or Amelia’s Jewel, but similar to the latter, she is a four-year-old mare of considerable upside, and has won six of her eight career starts.

Benedetta’s best win came the only time she has tackled the Flemington “straight six”, a three length pulverization of some good horses. She perhaps looked a little plain while winning first-up, but had improvement to come, and got the job done at Caulfield last time out despite sitting wide with no cover on the speed.

Daniel Stackhouse will have options from barrier eight, while knowing that Benedetta’s absolute best may come by conserving herself for a big finish. Given her upside compared to the rest of this field, she’s easy to put on top.

Star Patrol is the second-elect, and is also an untapped talent as a five-year-old with only 14 starts. He only had three runs last campaign, winning a Listed race at Sandown first-up, then being beaten less than two lengths in the Oakleigh Plate, before failing in the Newmarket and being tipped out for a spell. He’s had two jump outs and a trial in preparation for this assignment, and will be ready to go.

It’sourtime is an honest sprinter having his ninth start this preparation. He just keeps racing well in good company, and has run in the top three 10 times from 11 starts at this track and distance. His form says he’ll be somewhere in the mix.

King of Sparta has to carry a lot of weight in these type of races, but always acquits himself well. This is a level or two below the Group 1 races he tackled in the autumn, and he’ll be finishing hard.

Najeem Suhail is another improving type, coming off two wins in benchmark grade. He likes the straight and will go forward, but has to step up to the big time now. La Danseuse Rouge could be a small each-way spec at blow-out odds. She ran some really nice races as a three-year-old filly, and presents first-up as a four-year-old now.

Selections: 1.Benedetta 2.Star Patrol 3.It’sourtime 4.King of Sparta

Author
Cameron rose's Tip

BENEDETTA

WIN

Bobbie Lewis Quality 16 September 16:55
8. Benedetta Playup
Win
Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

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