Connections of outsider Mark Twain will be hoping small field dynamics play into their favour when the stayer lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Rated a $101 chance, Mark Twain faces a field of just five rivals, all proven Group 1 winners. History shows upsets are possible in the race, with eight double-figure winners since 2000, including Gatting at $101 in 2019, Littorio at $41 in 2011 and Hugs Dancer at $26 in 2004.

Mark Twain’s standout career moment remains his victory in last year’s Listed Roy Higgins (2600m), which secured a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup. A tendon injury prevented him from taking that opportunity, but the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained galloper is now looking for redemption with a path back to this year’s Cup on November 4.

He resumed in New Zealand over 1200m on August 9 before travelling to Australia, where he was set to contest the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley last weekend. However, a pre-race incident saw him drop jockey Jamie Mott in the saddling enclosure, leading to his late scratching.

“He dropped me on the way to the barriers,” Mott explained. “I had to let him go or he was going to stand over the top of me. He had a canter around for a couple of laps. There are only six runners on Saturday so, instead of a gallop, he’ll get more out of a race, but he’s probably not up to winning that race.”

Mott said he is keen to develop a partnership with Mark Twain as the distances increase, but acknowledged the horse must improve his rating to align with the weight he can ride at.

“I was literally on him for four seconds the other day, so I didn’t get much of a feel, but he’s a nice horse,” Mott said. “Hopefully he won’t get run off his legs on Saturday and then I think the plan is to back him up in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield the following week.”

“Roger is a great trainer and he really likes the horse, so hopefully he’s got him on track. We need a win to get his rating up and to match my weight.”