2026 MAKYBE DIVA STAKES: Form Guide, Tips & Betting Analysis
2026 MAKYBE DIVA STAKES DETAILS
DATE: Saturday September 12
VENUE: Flemington
DISTANCE: 1600m
CONDITIONS: G1 WFA
PRIZE MONEY: $750,000
Flemington ignites its Spring Carnival with its first G1 of the season - the 79th running of the Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m under WFA conditions.
First run in 1948 and won by LUNGI, the race was contested over 2000m before being shortened to a mile in 1965. The race was renamed in honour of three-time Melbourne Cup champion Makybe Diva following her retirement and was elevated from G2 to G1 status in 2013.
Notable winners of the Makybe Diva Stakes include TOBIN BRONZE (1966), JEUNE (1995), NORTHERLY (2002) and INCENTIVISE (2021) and MR BRIGHTSIDE, who etched his name into history with three consecutive victories in 2023, 2024 and 2025, becoming the race's only three-time winner.
GATTING produced one of the biggest upsets in Australian racing when he won the 2019 edition at odds of $101, making him the longest-priced winner in the race's history.
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) | ||||||
NO. | FORM | HORSE | JOCKEY | GATE | WT | ODDS |
1 | 120x2125x2 | 2 | 59kg | $10 | ||
2 | 1411x9444x | 12 | 59kg | $51 | ||
3 | 552x1415x4 | 1 | 59kg | $46 | ||
4 | 1x211x331x | 9 | 59kg | $4.60 | ||
5 | 32320x25x5 | Jye Mcneil | 3 | 59kg | $61 | |
6 | 8x411521x6 | Ben Melham | 4 | 59kg | $26 | |
7 | 6x60x940x9 | 11 | 59kg | $81 | ||
8 | 271x3212x8 | Mark Zahra | 5 | 58.5kg | $18 | |
9 | 256x2211x0 | - | 13 | 57kg | $20 | |
10 | 2234x313x4 | 10 | 57kg | $16 | ||
11 | 1121x4355x | 6 | 57kg | $101 | ||
12 | x311x111x2 | 7 | 56.5kg | $1.70 | ||
13 | 55211141x0 | Jason Collett | 8 | 56.5kg | $126 | |
WHO'S HOT? — TRAINER/JOCKEY CHAT
Two of the key rider angles in this year's Makybe Diva Stakes centre around Ethan Brown and Craig Williams, both arriving in outstanding form. Brown typically outperforms market expectations by 12%, but his recent figures have been exceptional, exceeding expectations by 36% across his past 100 rides. He partners LIGHT INFANTRY MAN, giving supporters another compelling reason to consider the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper.
Meanwhile, few Jockeys boast a stronger association with the race than Williams. While he generally performs in line with market expectations, he is currently surpassing them by 16% over his last 100 rides. Williams takes the reins aboard second favourite SIR DELIUS and is chasing a record-extending 7th Makybe Diva victory, having already won the past 3 editions aboard MR BRIGHTSIDE. Significantly, Williamsand Mark Zahra have combined to ride 5 of the last 6 Makybe Diva winners.
From a Training perspective, CIARON MAHER looms as a major force. While his runners typically outperform market expectations by 1%, his recent stable form has reached another level, with his last 100 runners exceeding expectations by an outstanding 47%. Maher will saddle up both LIGHT INFANTRY MAN and ANOTHER WIL, giving the state's premier stable a strong hand in its quest to claim Flemington's opening G1 of the season.
Makybe Diva Stakes Past Winners & Results | |||||||
YEAR | WINNER | A/S | IN-RUN | STAGE | LEAD-UP RUN | WT | ODDS |
2025 | MR BRIGHTSIDE | 8G | 1st | 2UP | 2nd G1 Memsie Caul 1400m | 59 | $5.00 |
2024 | MR BRIGHTSIDE | 7G | 3rd | 2UP | 2nd G1 Memsie Caul 1400m | 59 | $3.50 |
2023 | MR BRIGHTSIDE | 6G | 3rd | 3UP | 1st G1 Memsie Caul 1400m | 59 | $1.85f |
2022 | I'M THUNDERSTRUCK | 5G | 5th | 2UP | 2nd G1 Memsie Caul 1400m | 59 | $2.60f |
2021 | INCENTIVISE | 5G | 1st | 1UP | 77 Days | 59 | $3.90 |
2020 | FIERCE IMPACT | 7H | 5th | 2UP | 3rd G1 Winx Rand 1400m | 59 | $4.00f |
2019 | GATTING | 6G | 3rd | 6UP | 5th Idyllic Prince Blmt 1300m | 59 | $101.00 |
2018 | GRUNT | 4H | 5th | 3UP | 8th G1 Memsie Caul 1400m | 58.5 | $12.00 |
2017 | HUMIDOR | 5G | 12th | 3UP | 8th G1 Memsie Caul 1400m | 59 | $17.00 |
2016 | PALENTINO | 4H | 9th | 3UP | 5th G1 Memsie Caul 1400m | 58.5 | $9.00 |
2015 | FAWKNER | 8G | 6th | 1UP | 312 Days | 59 | $4.80 |
2014 | DISSIDENT | 4H | 2nd | 2UP | 1st G1 Memsie Caul 1400m | 58.5 | $2.70f |
2013 | FORETELLER | 7G | 12th | 2UP | 8th G2 Warwick WF 1400m | 59 | $15.00 |
2012 | SOUTHERN SPEED | 5M | 4th | 3UP | 1st Penny Mrpk 1400m | 57 | $4.20 |
2011 | LITTORIO | 7G | 14th | 1UP | 497 Days | 59 | $41.00 |
2010 | SHOCKING | 5H | 11th | 2UP | 7th G2 Liston Caul 1400m | 59 | $18.00 |
2009 | VIGOR | 5G | 6th | 2UP | 3rd Caul 1200m | 59 | $8.50 |
2008 | WEEKEND HUSSLER | 4G | 2nd | 3UP | 1st G2 Memsie Caul 1400m | 58.5 | $1.85f |
2007 | MARASCO | 5G | 4th | 3UP | 2nd G2 Liston Caul 1400m | 59 | $2.70 |
2006 | POMPEII RULER | 4G | 6th | 2UP | 1st G2 Liston Caul 1400m | 57.5 | $6.00 |
2005 | CONFECTIONER | 5G | 3rd | 1UP | 294 Days | 58 | $7.00 |
2004 | HUGS DANCER | 8G | 9th | 2UP | 7th G2 Liston Caul 1400m | 58 | $26.00 |
2003 | PENTASTIC | 5G | 8th | 2UP | 10th Caul 1200m | 58 | $11.00 |
2002 | NORTHERLY | 6G | 1st | 3UP | 4th G2 Memsie Caul 1400m | 58 | $2.35f |
2001 | NATIVE JAZZ | 5G | 6th | 2UP | 5th G2 Liston Sand 1400m | 58 | $9.00 |
2000 | GO FLASH GO | 5G | 1st | 2UP | 2nd G2 Liston Sand 1400m | 58 | $4.50 |
1999 | SKY HEIGHTS | 4G | 6th | 2UP | 2nd G2 Liston Sand 1400m | 57 | $2.25f |
1998 | UMRUM | 4G | 2nd | 3UP | 4th G2 Memsie Caul 1400m | 57 | $4.00f |
1997 | MARBLE HALLS | 4G | 4th | 2UP | 6th G2 Liston Caul 1400m | 57 | $4.00 |
1996 | SALEOUS | 4M | 1st | 2UP | 5th G2 Liston Sand 1400m | 54.5 | $3.50f |
1995 | JEUNE | 7H | 8th | 2UP | 3rd G2 Liston Sand 1400m | 58.5 | $2.50 |
1994 | MAHOGANY | 4G | 4th | 2UP | 1st G2 Liston Sand 1400m | 57 | $1.40f |
1993* | MANNERISM | 6M | N/A | 2UP | 6th G2 Liston Sand 1400m | 56 | $6.50 |
1992 | STAR OF THE REALM | 4G | N/A | 4UP | 2nd G2 Memsie Caul 1400m | 57 | $2.50f |
1991 | DURBRIDGE | 4H | N/A | 4UP | 9th G2 Liston Sand 1400m | 57 | $11.00 |
MAKYBE DIVA STAKES TRENDS, STATISTICS + FAVOURITES RECORD
While Favourites have claimed 11 of the past 35 runnings of the Makybe Diva, including 3 of the last 6 editions, unwavering faith in the market leader has not always paid dividends, with a yearly $100 investment on the Favourite since 1991 resulting in an overall loss of approximately $600. Although recent renewals have been dominated by horses towards the top of the market, with each of the last 6 winners with an SP at $5 or shorter, the race has also rewarded those seeking value, as 7 winners in the decade leading up to 2020 started at odds of $9 or longer.
History also points strongly towards favourable barriers and positive race positioning. Since 1991, Barriers 1 to 4 have produced 17 winners, a trend that has intensified in recent years with the last 5 winners all jumping from inside gates. In contrast, only 6 winners in the past 35 years have overcome a double-digit draw, the most recent being HUMIDOR from Barrier 11 in 2017. Tactical speed has proven equally important, with each of the last 8 winners settling between 1st and 5th at the 800m mark before striking in the straight.
Despite being named after champion mare MAKYBE DIVA, the fairer sex has found limited success in the event, with only 3 Mares winning since 1991, the latest being SOUTHERN SPEED in 2012. Punters will also note the significance of the Memsie Stakes, which has produced 7 winners of the Makybe Diva in the past decade, while each of the last 4 winners finished in the Memsie quinella at their previous start.
Adding further intrigue for punters, 6 of the last 7 winners have carried either Saddlecloth 1 or 6. Looking beyond Saturday, history suggests success in the Makybe Diva is tainted with bad luck with only 6 winners since 1993 managing to win again in the same preparation - MARBLE HALLS (1997), SKY HEIGHTS (1999), NORTHERLY (2002), WEEKEND HUSSLER (2008), INCENTIVISE (2021) and MR BRIGHTSIDE (2024).
WHAT HISTORY SAYS WINS
✓ SP $5 or less
✓ Barrier 1-4
✓ Settling in top 5
✓ Memsie quinella
✓ Saddlecloth 1 or 6
✕ Wide gate
✕ Mares
2026 BEST FIT: #1 MR BRIGHTSIDE $10
Hard to go past SHEZA ALIBI, who ticks perhaps the most important recent trend, with the last 6 winners all starting at $5 or less. In fact, she looks set to become the shortest-priced Favourite to win in more than 35 years. Add in her perfect 3/3 record at 1600m and 3/3 2UP and on paper - she appears a near certainty. However, Barrier 7 falls outside the race's traditional sweet spot, her racing pattern indicates she's unlikely to settle within the crucial top 5 at the 800m mark, and Mares have a poor record in the race, with just 3 wins since 1991.
If you're prepared to follow the historical profile to the letter, it's impossible to overlook MR BRIGHTSIDE. He jumps from Barrier 2, is almost certain to settle in the first 5, finished in the Memsie quinella at his previous start, and carries the magical Saddlecloth 1, which has featured on 6 of the past 7 winners. Most importantly, he's chasing an extraordinary fourth consecutive Makybe Diva Stakes, a feat that would further cement his place among the modern greats of Australian racing. Now that sounds like history waiting to be made.
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NIC ASHMAN'S MAKYBE DIVA STAKES ANALYSIS
"Hate to sound boring but it really looks a 2-horse race with SHEZA ALIBI getting the nod over SIR DELIUS - though the fact he beat AUTUMN GLOW while SHEZA couldn't does sit front of mind. But that was over 2000m and SHEZA ALIBI gets race fitness over him here plus maps to be one pair or trio in front him. Worth checking out our Track Report for Flemington via Podcast link below (key info IMHO). The roughie I think can run top 4 is BIRDMAN. He won the Blamey second-up this T&D in the autumn and while this is harder, he maps to get a smother and dash late."
$100 #12 SHEZA ALIBI $1.75
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2025 MAKYBE DIVA STAKES RESULT
1ST MR BRIGHTSIDE $5
2ND AELIANA $5
3RD VIA SISTINA $1.80
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