The Makybe Diva Stakes, first run in 1948 and known as the Craiglee Stakes for the first 59 editions, was elevated to Group 1 status in 2013. It’s a race that has been won by many champions over the years, from Light Fingers, Tobin Bronze and Rain Lover in the 60’s, big racing names like Dulcify, Zabeel and Mahogany, to more recent stars like Northerley and Weekend Hussler.

The Flemington 1600m usually gives every horse their chance, and while you would expect a race like this to attract the sprinter-milers, there is a surprising amount of horses that win this with credentials over much further distances. Recent Caulfield Cup winners like Incentivize, Fawkner and Southern Speed have been victorious in the Makybe Diva, as well as a Melbourne Cup winner like Shocking, and many horses considered more natural 2000m horses have also saluted.