Group 1 racing returns to headquarters this Saturday afternoon with an outstanding card of racing.
Our full 2022 Makybe Diva Stakes Day Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m)
There is an enormous wrap on the Snitzel colt Doull who is currently $6.00 in futures markets for the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day.
We saw his potential when he won on debut down the Flemington straight by almost three lengths back in May.
It was impossible not to be super impressed by the ease in which he won that day and he looks a safe way to start the day at headquarters.
Race 2 – Open Handicap (1700m)
This is a difficult race to access with plenty of quality staying types resuming for the first time.
One of those is the Mike Moroney trained Milford who finish his last campaign with back to back wins at Caulfield.
The son of Savabeel was beaten just 1.75 lengths when resuming in a stakes race first up at Flemington last campaign and the blinkers have gone on for this fresh assignment.
Race 3 – Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m)
I was impressed with the return of Queen Of The Ball when resuming in the Silver Shadow at Randwick and the stable scratched the filly from The Valley last Saturday to run down the straight at headquarters.
The daughter of I Am Invincible won the Black Opal during her last campaign before failing to handle the heavy track in the Golden Slipper.
She is over the odds.
Race 4 – Listed The Sofitel (1400m)
This looks a perfect race for Pinstriped to resume in having won at this track and distance when taking out the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes in February.
He was no match for them in the Australian Guineas and All-Star Mile but is a talented horse with a stack of upside.
Blue Army is one at double figure odds that is worth an each way bet first up too.
He was last seen winning the Group 2 Sandown Guineas in November last year but he has been gelded since then and draws perfectly in barrier five.
Race 5 – Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m)
Cascadian may just be racing in career best form right at the moment and his first up third in the Group 1 Memsie was excellent.
He closed out his last campaign with a win in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick and while his record second up doesn’t stand out, he usually races well here at Flemington.
He’ll benefit from his first up run and he’s the one that represents the best value in this race in my opinion.
Race 6 – The Sally Chirnside (2500m)
Point Nepean is an exciting stayer for the Williams juggernaut who has won four of his seven career starts.
He won his last three in a row during his last prep, ending with a win in the Listed Andrew Ramsden and earning a place in the Melbourne Cup in May.
I have no doubt that he is a more talented horse than these but the only issue is the fitness edge a few of these have over him.
Watch betting.
Race 7 – Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m)
A very open race awaits us in the seventh with a capacity field of 14 runners.
Peter Moody has praised his five year old Oxley Road despite a somewhat disappointing first up effort as favourite in the Group 3 John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.
He looked like he needed the run and he finished third in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate second up last prep and look for Luke Nolan to be a bit more aggressive out of the barriers in this race.
Race 8 – Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m)
Swat’s That was beaten just 1.7 lengths first up in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning down the Flemington straight last prep and then 2.3 lengths in the Newmarket at her next start.
He fresh record is only fair but her trial leading into this first up assignment saw her finishing off very well and she has found plenty of support in early betting.
Race 9 – Listed Exford Plate (1400m)
Tijuana is a talented young colt who won his first two starts during his autumn campaign.
He proved he has returned a stronger colt when finishing third behind two classy three-year-old’s in Aft Cabin and Jacquinot in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.
He’ll take benefit out of that run and the step up in distance suits.