The Makybe Diva Stakes (formerly known as the Craiglee Stakes) is a 1600 metre Group 2 event raced under weight-for-age conditions each year at Flemington racecourse. The race is run over a distance of 1600 metres and worth $300,000 in prizemoney. The 2011 Makybe Diva Stakes was won by Littorio from Glass Harmonium with Midas Touch third.
The race was changed from the Craiglee Stakes to the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2007 in honour of champion mare and three time Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva.
The Makybe Diva Stakes generally attracts quality gallopers and the race itself signals the beginning of better middle distance races to come during the Melbourne spring racing carnival. Being over 1600 metres, the race distance can suit a solid sprinter or an up and coming stayer and the roomy Flemington track with it's long straight gives all types of horses a chance, whether they race on the pace or come from behind.
The Makybe Diva Stakes is the first mile stakes race of the Victorian racing season and is a handy lead up race for the upcoming Gr1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield or the Gr1 Turnbull Stakes the following month at Flemington.
In recent times the race has been a handy guide to future big race performers and is a race that sees classy performers go around year after year.
Littorio (2011) resumed from a spell to storm home late and win this race and recent Makybe Diva Stakes winners include Shocking (2010) and Vigor (2009).
Spring Carnival Guide
Shocking (2010) went on to run second in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington before returning in the autumn to win the Gr1 Australian Cup at the same track, while Monaco Consul (7th in 2010) managed to finish runner-up in the Gr1 Caulfield Cup at Caulfield the following month.
Typhoon Tracy (2nd in 2009) went on to win the Gr2 Tristarc Stakes on Caulfield Cup day before scoring a brilliant win in the Gr1 Myer Classic on Derby day at Flemington.
Pompeii Ruler (2006) ran third in the Gr1 WS Cox Plate after winning this race, while the tough Northerly (2002) scored the Makybe Diva Stakes & WS Cox Plate double in the same year.
2011 Makybe Diva Stakes result
1. $6.50 Littorio 59.0 C Williams
2. $6.00 Glass Harmonium 59.0 Ms L Cropp
3. $3.40 Midas Touch 59.0 N Hall
then followed
4. $18.00 Playing God 58.5 S Parnham
5. $12.00 Lights Of Heaven 56.5 L Nolen
6. $13.00 At First Sight 59.0 S King
7. $61.00 My Bentley 59.0 J McDonald
8. $51.00 Once Were Wild 57.0 D Oliver
9. $11.00 Prince Obama 59.0 D Yendall
10. $101.00 Don Carlos 59.0 K McEvoy
11. $8.00 Master O’Reilly 59.0 M Allen
12. $151.00 Guest Wing 59.0 L Currie
13. $26.00 Harris Tweed 59.0 B Rawiller
14. $61.00 Alandi 59.0 E Cassar
Margins: 1/2 len, short 1/2 head Time: 1:37.80
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