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The Race History of the Makybe Diva Stakes run at Flemington on Saturday is always a Spring feature.
Mr Brightside was a star in this race so what does the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday have in store?
2024 MAKYBE DIVA STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Makybe Diva Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Weights For Age conditions for open class horses at Flemington conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.
The Makybe Diva Stakes is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1948 and was won by Lungi.
The Makybe Diva Stakes has always been run at Flemington.
In its early stages, the Makybe Diva Stakes was over 2000m but from 1965 onwards has been at the mile.
Until 2006 the race was known as the Craiglee Stakes before being named after the previous years retired three time Melbourne Cup winning champion Makybe Diva.
It was a Group 2 race until 2013 when it was upgraded to Group 1.
Southern Speed won for the mares in 2012 but before that it was way back to Saleous in 1996.
In the previous 39 runnings, only 5 horses (Incentivise, Northerly, Sky Heights, Marble Halls & Weekend Hussler) have managed to win another race in that carnival following Craiglee success. However in 1993 the winner Runyon, who lost the race on a positive swab, did win again but the eventual registered winner Mannerism did not win afterwards.
Gatting won at 100-1 in 2019 after running fifth of five in Perth the start before.
Fierce Impact backed up winning the Toorak and Cantala Stakes from the previous Spring by winning this race in 2020.
Incentivise made it seven wins on the trot and his first at G1 level by leading all the way in 2021. It was his first run for new trainer Peter Moody. He'd then win the Turnbull and Caulfield Cup too.
Craig Williams lost the ride on Giga Kick two days beforehand but showed his skill in winning the Makybe Diva on Mr Brightside in 2023. Brightside was in the middle of an incredible prep also winning the Lawrence and Memsie and second in the King Charles, Cox Plate and Champions Mile.
The Makybe Diva Stakes was worth $750,000 in 2024.
Notable winners of the Makybe Diva Stakes include Mr Brightside (2023), I'm Thunderstruck (2022), Incentivise (2021), Fierce Impact (2020), Humidor (2017), Palentino (2016), Fawkner (2015), Dissident (2014), Southern Speed (2012), Shocking (2010), Weekend Hussler (2008), Pompeii Ruler (2006), Northerly (2002), Sky Heights (1999), Umrum (1998), Marble Halls (1997), Jeune (1995), Mahogany (1994), Mannerism (1993), Durbridge (1991), Zabeel (1990), Military Plume (1987), Rose Of Kingston (1982), Dulcify (1979), Family Of Man (1978), Ming Dynasty (1977), Tontonan (1975), Dual Choice (1971), Rain Lover (1969), Tobin Bronze (1966), Light Fingers (1965), Lord (1961) and Comic Court (1949).
The 2023 Makybe Diva Stakes was won by Mr Brightside from Alligator Blood and Osipenko.
