Makybe Diva Stakes Racing Tips 2026 – Preview, Speed Map, Best Bet & Value

The $750,000 weight-for-age feature is run over 1600m and has assembled 13 runners, with several of the leading spring contenders stepping out.

Sheza Alibi is the clear top pick after an excellent return behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes. She was slowly away and forced to settle back before producing the fastest final 200m of the race to get within a length of the winner. The rise from 1400m to 1600m is a significant positive given what she produced over the mile last autumn, when she won the Randwick Guineas second-up before demolishing her rivals in the Doncaster Mile.

The one knock is history. No mare has won the Makybe Diva Stakes since it was elevated to Group 1 level in 2013, with Southern Speed the most recent female winner in 2012. Female favourites Mystic Journey, Tofane and Via Sistina twice have all been rolled in recent years. However, Sheza Alibi looks capable of breaking that trend and gets in beautifully with 56.5kg from barrier seven.

Sir Delius presents the obvious danger. He is the only horse to have beaten Autumn Glow, doing so in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m during the autumn, and returns after an outstanding campaign. The mile is short of his best and he will improve as the distances increase, but two lead-up trials should have him forward enough to make his presence felt.

Then there is Mr Brightside, who is attempting an extraordinary fourth consecutive victory in the race. The nine-year-old returned with a typically brave second behind Beiwacht in the Memsie Stakes and should take improvement from that performance. He draws barrier two and maps to enjoy another economical run near the speed, which makes him dangerous despite now being well into the veteran stage of his career. Mr Brightside has owned this race since 2023 and is impossible to dismiss around the $10 mark.

There is quality everywhere outside the leading trio. Treasurethe Moment should improve from her first-up fourth in the Memsie and maps on speed, while Autumn Boy is back to the distance of his Caulfield Guineas victory. Aeliana was runner-up in this race last year and should appreciate getting to the mile, while Birdman and Buckaroo both caught the eye late in the Memsie. Defending Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours also resumes, although the 1600m is clearly short of his ultimate spring targets.

There doesn't appear to be an abundance of genuine speed in the Makybe Diva Stakes and She's A Hustler looks the most likely runner to take up the lead from barrier six.

Light Infantry Man, Mr Brightside and Treasurethe Moment should all be prominent. Light Infantry Man draws barrier one and should hold a position without doing any work, while Mr Brightside has another perfect draw in two. Treasurethe Moment comes across from barrier 10 and could potentially be the horse that applies some pressure to the leader.

Another Wil and Sir Delius map around the on-pace/midfield area, while Sheza Alibi should land midfield from barrier seven. That looks an ideal scenario for the favourite, allowing Luke Nolen to keep her out of trouble and bring her into the race when required rather than conceding the huge start she did first-up.

Birdman and Autumn Boy are also likely to settle around midfield, while Aeliana may need to go back from barrier 13. Half Yours is another expected to settle in the second half, with Buckaroo further back and Ohope Wins likely to be giving them a significant start.

The lack of obvious pressure is the main concern for the backmarkers. Mr Brightside could be the major beneficiary if the race becomes tactical, while Sheza Alibi's midfield position should give her first crack at those up front.

Sheza Alibi is short at $1.70 but looks extremely hard to beat.

Her first-up performance behind Autumn Glow was better than the bare result. She was slowly away, settled well back and had to chase a top-class mare who enjoyed a much better position in running. Sheza Alibi still produced the fastest final 200m and closed to within a length at the finish.

The key is getting back to 1600m. Sheza Alibi went to another level over the mile last autumn, winning the Randwick Guineas second-up before producing a dominant Doncaster Mile victory. She is also a previous second-up winner at Flemington, and the long straight should allow her to build through her gears.

Sir Delius is a serious horse but is likely to be better once he gets beyond the mile, while the majority of the Memsie Stakes runners need to improve significantly on their first-up performances to match the favourite.

Barrier seven is another positive. She should be able to settle around midfield rather than getting buried back on the fence, and with clear air approaching the straight she looks the horse they will have to hold out.

Birdman appeals at $4.20 for the place after producing an eye-catching return in the Memsie Stakes.

The former import reached a new level last autumn, culminating in his Doomben Cup victory, and he has already demonstrated his liking for Flemington. Second-up last preparation he won the Blamey Stakes over this track and distance, producing a performance around 12 lengths faster than standard.

His first-up sixth in the Memsie was better than it looks. The race was controlled up front and didn't provide an ideal setup for a horse settling back, but Birdman continued to work through the line and produced the fastest final 200m of the race.

The step to 1600m, Flemington's long straight and the additional fitness second-up are all positives. Barrier four also gives connections options and should allow him to settle closer than he did first-up without having to spend anything early.

Sheza Alibi is clearly the horse to beat, but at the current prices Birdman doesn't need to win. Around $4.20 the place, he looks capable of running into the top three at value.