Flemington race-by-race tips & quaddie | Makybe Diva Stakes 2024

Race 1: BM78 Handicap (1100m)

Moby Dick put in an outstanding initial campaign during the autumn, and first-up from a spell will take some beating as he heads down the Flemington straight for the first time. Despite his lack of experience at Flemington, the Toronado progeny does boast two Pakenham 1200m wins, with the key being how he handled the long run in to the winning post. Damian Lane hops on board, and with a genuine tempo expected, the race sets up perfectly for Moby Dick to launch down the heart of the track.

• 13
  

  MOBY DICK

• 4
  

  NADAL

• 1
  

  BARAQIEL

• 3
  

  HEADWALL

Race 2: Listed Exford Plate (1400m)

Wonder Boy flashed home late over 1200m in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) and as he steps up to the 1400m, is sure to only benefit from the extra distance. He beat all but Growing Empire on that day and put 2.8 lengths on Stay Focused back in third. With plenty of speed in this, Craig Williams can stalk the speed throughout from the gun draw, and if Wonder Boy can rattle off similar late sectionals, he should be winning.

• 1
  

  WONDER BOY

• 3
  

  DETROIT CITY

• 2
  

  DAGGERS

• 6
  

  SI SI MILANO

Race 3: Listed Cap D’antibes Stakes (1100m)

Drifting was a smart all-the-way winner of the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) and as she returns to Flemington, she looks set to turn the tables on Bold Bastille from when they last met. When the pair clashed over 1000m in the autumn, the Zousain filly was shortening the margin and looks to be the better of the two at 1100m and further. Jamie Kah will likely settle Drifting just off the speed, and when asked to quicken, Drifting should safely account for her rivals again.

• 1
  

  DRIFTING

• 4
  

  BOLD BASTILLE

• 7
  

  MANOLO BLING

• 8
  

  KUROYANAGI

Race 4: Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m)

Come around 1:55pm on Saturday, the $1.90 on offer with horse racing bookmakers about Growing Empire will look a ridiculous price. The three-year-old was unreal when resuming in the McNeil Stakes when travelling three wide with no cover, before producing a stunning turn of foot to salute eased down. Mark Zahra can either lead, or take a sit on this son of Zoustar. Either way, Growing Empire will prove the classy three-year-old sprinter once again.

• 1
  

  GROWING EMPIRE

• 7
  

  FIRST SETTLER

• 9
  

  NDOLA

• 4
  

  HIGH OCTANE

Race 5: Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m)

Win and you’re into the Melbourne Cup (3200m); that is what is on offer for the winner of the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on Saturday. Point King could not have been any more dominant when winning a BM100 at Moonee Valley when first-up for Anthony & Sam Freedman. The six-year-old gelding was going as well as anything through the line when a 3.8-length winner, which suggests the 2500m should be no issue. Point King will be charging down the heart of the track when the whips are cracking and will prove too hard to hold out.

• 8
  

  POINT KING

• 6
  

  BERKSHIRE BREEZE

• 1
  

  VOW AND DECLARE

• 3
  

  HORRIFYING

Race 6: Listed Vale Black Caviar (1400m)

Makram was a Flemington 1400m winner at a big price during the autumn and looks set to repeat the dose on Saturday. He produced a stunning burst to burst the bubble of boom horse Jimmysstar before losing to Atishu in Group 2 company by just over a length. Makram boasts two first-up wins from eight starts, and with Craig Williams in the saddle, he will be charging home late at a big price.

• 7
  

  MAKRAM

• 3
  

  ARRAN BAY

• 4
  

  NICOLINI VITO

• 5
  

  HOLYMANZ

Race 7: Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m)

Not much went right for Comrade Rosa on her Victorian debut when needing to undergo a pre-race vet check before laying in when making her run. She did well to be beaten by just under two lengths to Quintessa, who she has a handy weight swing on once again. Jye McNeil will look to get her off the fence from barrier two, because once she finds clear air, the Capitalist mare is possessed with a strong finish. With the experience of going the “Melbourne way” under her belt, Comrade Rosa looks way over the odds at $16 with Bet365 in the Let’s Elope Stakes.

• 6
  

  COMRADE ROSA

• 1
  

  QUINTESSA

• 8
  

  ALSEPHINA

• 7
  

  WOLLOMBI

Race 8: Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m)

The field for the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes is compiled of eight previous Group 1 winners and looks set to be one of the better viewing spectacles of the spring. Can Pride Of Jenni bounce back? Or will Mr Brightside defend his crown? There’s plenty for everyone to get excited about ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 feature.

Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes

Race 9: Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m)

Sans Doute charged home over the Moonee Valley 1000m when beaten a half-length behind subsequent Group 1 winner Mornington Glory. The five-year-old mare returns to Flemington, a track she is yet to taste defeat in through four attempts. The Not A Single Doubt mare will likely be at the rear of the field, but armed with a blistering turn of foot, and with just 53kg on her back Sans Doute should take a power of beating in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m).

• 12
  

  SANS DOUTE

• 9
  

  RIGHT TO PARTY

• 10
  

  ARKANSAW KID

• 2
  

  BENEDETTA

Race 10: Open Handicap (1700m)

Positivity was narrowly beaten in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) when first-up and looks to have found the right race to go one better in on the weekend. The four-year-old mare was a dominant winner over 2500m in Group 3 company during the autumn, so she clearly has ability and will appreciate getting to Flemington for the first time. Damian Lane will have her out the back of the field, but armed with a strong turn of foot, there is no reason why Positivity cannot blouse her rivals in the Flemington finale.

• 11
  

  POSITIVITY

• 12
  

  GREEN FLY

• 4
  

  MILFORD

• 6
  

  BERKELEY SQUARE