2010 Makybe Diva Stakes Preview & Tips

2010 Makybe Diva Stakes

Flemington – Sat 4 September 2010

There is a nine-race program at Flemington with three Group 2 races and a Group 3 race. The major race is the Group 2 $400,000 Makybe Diva Stakes weight-for-age race over 1600 metres. There are sixteen runners and three emergencies and many of them are nominated for some of the major spring events, including the Melbourne Cup. The other Group 2 events are the Let’s Elope Stakes and the Danehill Stakes.

Runners in the 2010 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington

The only mare in the field is 3^rd emergency Ghostmilk who is unlikely to run. All the field will carry 59kg except for the two four-year-olds Monaco Consul and Chartreux who carry 58.5kg. Runners include 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, imported horse Alandi who is equal topweight in the 2010 Cup weights, Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul and Rebel Raider who won the Derby the year before and Caulfield Cup placegetter Vigor.

Heart Of Dreams, Vigor and Shocking all ran on well in the Liston on 14 August and should go well again here with the extra 200 metres. Shocking is being set for longer but is unbeaten at Flemington and it would not surprise to see him in the money here. Danleigh has ran well in both of his two starts this campaign and the track is expected to be slow which he can handle. Adelaide horse Rebel Raider seems to save his best runs for group-level races and connections are expecting a good spring from him.

2010 Makybe Diva Stakes Early Betting Market

The early betting at SportsBet has Danleigh as the outright favourite at $2.90. Next in the market is Vigor at $5.50, Heart Of Dreams at $7, Speed Gifted at $7.50, Monaco Consul at $8.50, Ghostmilk at $9, Rebel Raider at $11, Fanjura at $15 and Shocking at $19. All other runners are currently at 20 to 1 or longer with Chartreux at $21, Zavite, Alandi and Mourayan all at $51, Red Ruler and C’est La Guerre both at $61, Master O’Reilly, Doctor Fremantle and Sterling Prince all at $81 and Baughurst at $151.

Jo’s Tips:

1. Heart Of Dreams, 2. Danleigh 3. Rebel Raider