Makybe Diva Stakes Tips - Can Pride Of Jenni bounce back in the Makybe Diva Stakes?

Via Sistina is one of only two horses in the race with a win under the belt in their current preparation, alongside Pinstriped, who took out the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at his most recent start. 

Via Sistina comes down from Sydney, having arrived in time to knock over Zougotcha in the Winx Stakes (1400m) when resuming. The imported galloper has now won two of three since coming to Australia. Her other victory was the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) in the autumn, while she was a 6.5 length runner-up behind Pride Of Jenni in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at her other run. 

The Chris Waller-trained mare went just 6.5 lenghts faster than standard in the Winx Stakes but flew home over the last 600m, running 33.12. She must be respected on that effort. 

Alot has been made of the performance of Pride Of Jenni in the Memsie Stakes after she bombed out late in the piece to run 5th behind Pinstriped, beaten nearly six lengths. She went 8.4 lengths faster than standard, which is a few lengths inferior to her first up performance in the autumn when runner-up behind Mr Brightside. 

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner improved seven lengths on figures when second up lastb time to take out the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield, going a whopping 19.5 lengths faster than standard. I am not ruling her out of this race or any upcoming features just yet and she has two big wins to her credit over the Flemington 1600m last spring. 

Mr Brightside just keeps showing up and was runner-up behind Pinstriped in the Memsie Stakes with the winner going 13.3 lengths faster than standard. Antino also comes out of that race and was 4th. 

Best last start benchmark figures belong to Circle Of Fire but that came over the 3200m of the Sydney Cup and he is likely to need longer. Warmonger appears for the first time this spring and produced a demolition job to claim the Queensland Derby (2400m) over the winter. Question marks over those that he defeated but he has trialled well and is a Flemington winner. 

Atishu must be respected and can improve on her first up run that saw her finish 9th in the Winx Stakes. She was given little hope settling back on a slow tempo and produced the fastest 600m-400m split before the lack of early speed counted against. The Chris Waller mare loves Flemington and was a second up winner at the track and trip in the Blamey Stakes last spring. 

Were it not for her Memsie Stakes run, I would have Pride Of Jenni as a clear top pick but she is too much of a risk given what transpired at Caulfield. Mr Brightside produced a typically honest performance in the Memsie Stakes and can improve enough to turn the tables on Pinstriped. He was a winner in this race last year and should enjoy the run of the race from barrier 4. 

Atishu shapes as a value pick in the Makybe Diva Stakes. She was ridden more forward that her customary settling position the last time when in action at Flemington in the Australian Cup (2000m) when 3rd behind the likes of Cascadian and Pride Of Jenni. I wouldn't mind seeing her ridden cold with the field stringing out courtesy of Pride Of Jenni, who is almost guaranteed to set a hectic tempo. Atishu is always strong at the end of her races and will enjoy the pace, as well as the return to Flemington where she has won three of six.