Mark Twain’s connections will be hoping for an upset when the $101 outsider tackles a small but elite field in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Only six runners have accepted, all with Group 1 credentials, yet history suggests rough results are possible. Since 2000, eight horses have saluted at double-figure odds in the race, most notably Gatting at $101 in 2019, Littorio at $41 in 2011 and Hugs Dancer at $26 in 2004.
Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, Mark Twain’s career highlight was winning the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) last year, which earned him a coveted ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup. Unfortunately, a tendon injury ended that bid, but the stayer is being aimed at this year’s edition on November 4.
He resumed with a 1200m run in New Zealand last month before shipping to Australia. Scheduled to resume in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley last week, he was withdrawn after dislodging jockey Jamie Mott en route to the barriers.
“He dropped me on the way to the barriers,” Mott said. “I had to let him go or he was going to stand all over 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 hopes to stick with the stayer as he steps up in distance. “I only had him for a few seconds the other day, so I didn’t get much of a feel, but he’s a nice horse,” he said. “The plan is to back him up in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield the following week. We need a win to get his rating up closer to my weight.”