Out of the 15 nominations for the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, trainer Chris Waller has entered five horses. Barrier draws and race shape will ultimately determine if Aeliana, Autumn Boy, Birdman, Buckaroo, and Ohope Wins all take their place.
Waller’s sole victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes occurred in 2014 with Foreteller. He has consistently used the weight-for-age contest as a component of his stable’s spring program.
Via Sistina, the victor of the last two Cox Plates, competed in the Makybe Diva on both occasions, securing fifth place in 2024 and third last year. Both times, she was defeated by Mr Brightside, who is aiming for a historic fourth consecutive win in the race.
Chris Waller was at Flemington on Tuesday morning to oversee Autumn Boy, Birdman, Buckaroo, and Ohope Wins during their trackwork. Aeliana completed her work in Sydney and is expected to travel to Melbourne during the week.
The step up in distance is anticipated to be more beneficial for Aeliana following her first-up performance 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 explained. “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.”
Given his fondness for the distance, having won the Caulfield Guineas, Waller indicated that Autumn Boy is possibly the ‘top seed’ heading into Saturday’s race after finishing eighth 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 said. “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 mentioned that either Buckaroo or Birdman could be reserved for the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield the following Saturday. Buckaroo won the Underwood in 2024 and finished behind Sir Delius last year. Both ran 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 commented. “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 at the tail of the field in the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 15. Waller stated that the rise in trip and bigger 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.”
Waller 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.”
With a competitive field lining up, the Makybe Diva Stakes promises to be an exciting race. Explore the betting sites for your chance to back a winner.
