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Horse Racing Tips for The Makybe Diva Stakes 2026

Sheza Too Good

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Tagged: Horse Racing Tips, Flemington, Neil Evans, Makybe Diva Stakes

What a race!

The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m at Flemington has assembled a remarkable collection of weight-for-age stars, with multiple Group 1 winners converging on the famous mile.

Three-time defending champion Mr Brightside is chasing an extraordinary fourth straight win in the race.

Caulfield and Melbourne Cup hero Half Yours returns to Flemington, while Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man, multiple Group 1 winner Sir Delius and Doomben Cup winner Birdman add even more depth.

Then there are the emerging stars.

Autumn Boy already owns a Rosehill Guineas, while Sheza Alibi arrives as a Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile winner with the potential to become one of the headline horses of the spring.

Quite simply, this is one of the strongest weight-for-age mile fields assembled in years.

So who gets the right run, and who wins?

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Neil Evans’ Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes Preview 2026 12/09/26

Track Conditions

Flemington should present in terrific order.

With virtually no rain expected over the next 48 hours, I'm anticipating a Good 4 with the rail in the True position.

The track should race evenly early, although as the meeting progresses I expect riders to gradually edge a few lanes away from the fence.

That could favour horses capable of building momentum from off the speed, particularly later in the program.

The Speed Map

Light Infantry Man draws the inside and looks the likely leader, while Mr Brightside should use his barrier to push forward and settle right on the speed.

Autumn Boy can be ridden positively and land only a couple of lengths from the leaders, with Treasurethe Moment working across and She's A Hustler also prominent.

Sir Delius should find a midfield position away from the fence, with Buckaroo potentially settling inside him after drawing favourably.

Sheza Alibi should be around that midfield group as well, giving her the opportunity to get into clear air when the pressure goes on.

Further back, Birdman should find cover alongside Another Wil and Half Yours, with the latter pair likely to drift back after drawing wide.

Ohope Wins looks the likely tailender.

In a race containing this much quality, positioning will be crucial.

Nobody will want to give Sheza Alibi an easy target to chase down the long Flemington straight.

The Favourite – Sheza Alibi

Even against a field of this quality, Sheza Alibi has enormous upside.

Her first-up performance behind Autumn Glow over 1400m was excellent, and the step to 1600m second-up at Flemington looks an ideal progression.

The question isn't whether she's the horse to beat. It's whether the price properly reflects the strength of the opposition.

The early $1.70 is too short for mine in a race containing this much Group 1 quality.

I'd have her closer to $1.90.

She's clearly on top, but at those short odds there isn't much room for anything to go wrong.

The Dangers

Sir Delius ($4.60) looks set for a huge spring. He's been brought along steadily through three progressive trials and the Flemington mile provides a lovely starting point. Expect him to be strong through the line with bigger targets ahead.

Autumn Boy ($20.00) is the runner at odds who interests me. The map gives him every opportunity to settle within striking distance and he's capable of making a sharp improvement second-up. At $20, he can run a much bigger race than the market suggests.

Then there is Mr Brightside ($10.00). He was tremendously tough first-up and his second-up record is outstanding. More importantly, he absolutely owns this race, having won the past three editions. Attempting a fourth consecutive Makybe Diva Stakes is some feat, and you simply can't leave him out.

Birdman ($28.00) is another who can improve significantly second-up. He'll likely settle further back, but Flemington gives him the opportunity to balance up and attack the line late.

Neil’s Best Bet – Sheza Alibi

As short as she is, I can't go away from Sheza Alibi.

Her return behind Autumn Glow over 1400m was top-notch, and now she gets to the mile second-up.

Her record at this stage of preparation is perfect: three second-up runs for three wins.

Getting weight from the older males is obviously significant, but it's the Flemington setup that really appeals.

She should be able to settle back in midfield, conserve energy and then get to the outside from around the 450m.

That's where I want her. Balanced, building momentum and with clear air to unleash her acceleration.

This is an outstanding Makybe Diva Stakes, but Sheza Alibi is the one to beat.

For those looking for more value, I'm playing the quinella with Sir Delius, while a boxed exacta with Sheza Alibi, Sir Delius and Autumn Boy gives us another way into the race.