Champion trainer Chris Waller has put forward five of the 15 nominations for the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The final field will be determined by barrier draws and race dynamics, with Aeliana, Autumn Boy, Birdman, Buckaroo, and Ohope Wins all entered.
Waller’s sole victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes was in 2014 with Foreteller. He consistently uses the weight-for-age event as a crucial part of his horses’ spring campaigns.
Via Sistina, who has won the last two editions of the Cox Plate, contested the Makybe Diva on both previous starts, finishing fifth in 2024 and third last year. On both occasions, she was beaten by Mr Brightside, who is aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive win.
On Tuesday morning, Waller was at Flemington observing Autumn Boy, Birdman, Buckaroo, and Ohope Wins in their trackwork. Aeliana completed her work in Sydney and is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne later in the week.
The step up in distance is expected to benefit Aeliana after her initial run in the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22. “She raced a little bit flat but sectional times suggest they went a little bit quicker than what she was comfortable with and got a bit tired late, although Nash Rawiller said her last 200 metres was fine,” Waller stated. “Based on what he said and her recovery, I’m happy with her and I think she will appreciate the mile and the nice big open spaces at Flemington. She was going well into her first-up run, so there has been no change.”
Possessing a strong record at the distance, including a Caulfield Guineas win, Waller considers Autumn Boy the ‘top seed’ for Saturday’s race after his eighth-place finish in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield first-up. “He’s fitter for the run and physically he looks a little bit tighter which is how I want him to look,” Waller commented. “He’s a good miler. He’s a Guineas winner and James (McDonald) was happy with his first-up run when he didn’t get a lot of luck over the last 200 metres at Caulfield, and it’s an important race for a colt.”
Waller indicated that either Buckaroo or Birdman might be saved for the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield the following Saturday. Buckaroo won the Underwood in 2024 and finished second to Sir Delius last year. Both horses competed in the Memsie Stakes first-up, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. “They got home well, they came through it well and the mile will suit better,” Waller remarked. “We may split one of them up with the Underwood the following week. Buckaroo has won that before, and Birdman runs well at Caulfield, so we’ll see how they’ve drawn, what the race is like and then see which one might be held back.”
Australian Oaks winner Ohope Wins has had one run back, finishing last in the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 15. Waller believes the increased trip and larger track will suit her. “We won’t see her best until she gets to 2000 metres, but it is an important stepping stone for a race like the Turnbull.”
The trainer anticipates the Group 1 contest will be an enthralling race. “Sheza Alibi had a tough run first-up in Sydney and I’m sure she has come on and Sir Delius, I’ve been keeping an eye on him up in Sydney,” Waller said. “Mr Brightside was awesome first-up and along with a few of ours, it will be a great race.”
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