Group 1 Gurus: Who to back in the Makybe Diva Stakes & why?

By SENTrack & RSN

Group 1 racing returns to Flemington this week with the Makybe Diva Stakes headlining the meeting, and it is yet another belter for us racing fans to enjoy.

The $750,000 race which is run across 1600m has been won by Mr Brightside for the previous three years (2025, 2024, 2023), followed by I'm Thunderstruck (2022) and Incentivise (2021).

The 2026 edition consists of a stacked field of 12 Group 1 winners, headlined by the Doncaster Mile (1600m) winner Sheza Alibi taking on the Queen Elizabeth (2000m) winner Sir Delius, while Mr Brightside is also looking to do the unbelievable and win this Group 1 for the fourth straight year.

Sheza Alibi is currently the short favourite to take out the Weight-For-Age Group 1.

Check out our tips and predictions for the Makybe Diva Stakes below!

Winner: SHEZA ALIBI

Top 4: Sheza Alibi | Autumn Boy | Sir Delius | Mr Brightside

Why: Sheza Alibi probably shouldn’t be as short as she is in this stacked field, but she will most likely take out the Group 1. Her Doncaster Mile victory from the autumn was freakish, and she managed to run second to Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes a few weeks ago, whilst running excellently through the line. The mare is unbeaten at the 1600m distance and unbeaten when running second-up. She will be hard to beat.

Autumn Boy appears as an underrated selection here. The 2025 Caulfield Guineas winner ran second behind Sheza Alibi twice last autumn across 1600m, and that very well could happen again here. The four-year-old has a 3:1-2-0 record at the distance and a 2:1-1-0 second-up record.

Arguably Australia’s best 2000m runner, Sir Delius, is first-up here, and while he excels at that distance, he has never won at 1600m before. Across two runs at this race’s distance, he has finished second and third. The Cox Plate favourite will certainly run a mighty race here, but I’m sure Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott wouldn’t want a gut buster in the leadup to the Cox Plate. The six-year-old will be in the mix here, but I would rather wait until he rises in distance before tipping him.

The three-time Makybe Diva Stakes winner, Mr Brightside, must be respected as well. The nine-year-old proved he still has it in the Memsie Stakes, running second to Beiwacht. While the legend is certainly past his prime, you would be crazy not to acknowledge the horse who has won this exact race in the past three years as a potential winner here.

Don’t look past Treasurethe Moment & Buckaroo as well.

Connor Scanlon

Winner: SHEZA ALIBI

Top 4: Sheza Alibi | Treasurethe Moment | Mr Brightside | Autumn Boy

Why: I genuinely tossed and turned between Sheza Alibi and Treasurethe Moment as my top selection here.

Ultimately, Sheza's electric turn of foot which was on display in her impressive second to Autumn Glow last start pushes her to the top, but the price for Treasurethe Moment is ludicrous.

So many factors line up well for Treasure; loves Flemington, loves the distance, excellent on good tracks and a second-up specialist with a 5:4-1-0 record.

You hear it a lot, but Mr Brightside does not know how to run a bad race. He'll be right up there, no doubt.

I've got a soft spot for Autumn Boy and think this race sets up nicely. Flemington for the first time should suit too.

Sir Delius clearly the next best but I'm taking on the first-up form alongside the knowledge that he's never won at 1600m.

Ethan Clark

Winner: SHEZA ALIBI

Top 4: Sheza Alibi | Sir Delius | Mr Brightside | Treasurethe Moment

Why: It’s very had to tip against Sheza Alibi.

She was good behind Autumn Glow first-up and looks primed to take out her third Group 1. Should only need clear air at the right time and she should be good enough.

Sir Delius is a weapon of a horse. But is he suited fresh at 1600m? Hasn’t won below 1800m yet. Can win, of course, but would prefer as the exacta horse with the fave.

The old warrior and Makybe Diva specialist Mr Brightside can make his presence felt. Small win bet as a saver and bigger place bet for him.

Treasurethe Moment, as the market suggests, is next best.

Andrew Slevison

Winner: SHEZA ALIBI

Top 4: Sheza Alibi | Mr Brightside | Sir Delius | Buckaroo

Why: You can't really go past Moody's mighty filly, she will be difficult to beat.

Sheza Alibi strips fitter second-up, she deserves a win to kickstart her spring campaign.

Mr Brightside knows how to run well in this race, and is the epitome of consistency. Can easily see him taking on the pace and leaving most of the field behind.

Sir Delius returns, and while its not his best distance, there is too much class for him to miss the placings.

Finally, I think Buckaroo once again flashes home hard, and if that first-up Memsie run was any indicator, top 4 is not out of the realms of possibility.

Jasper Cormick