Headlining the action at the Flemington Racecourse this weekend is the star-studded Group Two Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), which will jump at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
Melbourne Cup hopeful Monaco Consul has drawn the best barrier of the favourites in the third alley.
The Makybe Diva Stakes has long been a strong indicator race into the Melbourne Cup later in the year, and looks to carry the same job this year.
The 2010 Makybe Diva Stakes final field is made up of 16 runners, with three emergencies waiting in the wings and hoping to be called upon.
Melbourne Cup hopeful Monaco Consul has drawn the best barrier of the favourites in the third alley. The Michael Moroney-trained four-year-old had a solid start to the spring with a jump in the Group Two JJ Liston Stakes (1400m).
Defending Melbourne Cup winner Shocking tops the weights at 59kg and will start from barrier nine. The son of Street Cry had an average first up run in the 2010 JJ Liston Stakes finishing in the middle of the field, and will look to improve with Michael Rodd in the saddle.
Fellow Melbourne Cup nominee Speed Gifted will also take to Flemington in the 2010 Makybe Diva Stakes. The Lee Freedman-trained runner has the wide barrier 12 and will be using the 2010 Makybe Diva Stakes as a lead up into the spring. So don’t necessarily expect a winning performance.
Freedman also has the two Melbourne Cup hopefuls Doctor Fremantle and Fanjura starting in the 2010 Makybe Diva Stakes. Fanjura, winner of the Group Three Easter Cup (2000m) could certainly be a threat this Saturday if the Marju gelding starts as the second emergency.
Of the 16 starters for the 2010 Makybe Diva Stakes 14 are nominated for the 2010 Melbourne Cup, making this a strong event for all horseracing fans and enthusiasts to watch this weekend.
Also taking place at Flemington will be the Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m), the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m), the Group Three Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) and five other exciting races.
2010 Makybe Diva Stakes Final Field
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shocking | Mark Kavanagh | Michael Rodd | 9 | 59 |
| 2 | Master O’Reilly (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | 18 | 59 | |
| 3 | Zavite (NZ) | Anthony Cummings | Ben Melham | 16 | 59 |
| 4 | Danleigh | Chris Waller | Jim Cassidy | 10 | 59 |
| 5 | Rebel Raider | Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas | Clare Lindop | 7 | 59 |
| 6 | Heart Of Dreams | Mick Price | Damien Oliver | 19 | 59 |
| 7 | Red Ruler (NZ) | John Sargent | Craig Newitt | 1 | 59 |
| 8 | C’Est La Guerre (NZ) | Robert Hickmott | Danny Nikolic | 15 | 59 |
| 9 | Vigor (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | James Winks | 13 | 59 |
| 10 | Alandi (NZ) | Robert Hickmott | Steven Arnold | 6 | 59 |
| 11 | Doctor Fremantle (GB) | Lee Freedman | Mark Zahra | 14 | 59 |
| 12 | Mourayan (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Nicholas Hall | 8 | 59 |
| 13 | Speed Gifted (GB) | Lee Freedman | Luke Nolen | 12 | 59 |
| 14 | Sterling Prince (NZ) | Wayne Hillis | Steven King | 4 | 59 |
| 15 | Monaco Consul (NZ) | Michael Moroney | Craig Williams | 3 | 58.5 |
| 16 | Chartreux | David Hayes | Brad Rawiller | 5 | 58.5 |
| EMERGENCIES | |||||
| 17 | Baughurst | Bill & Symon Wilde | 2 | 59 | |
| 18 | Fanjura (IRE) | Lee Freedman | Dwayne Dunn | 17 | 59 |
| 19 | Ghostmilk (IRE) | Peter G Moody | 11 | 57 | |
