The 2014 Makybe Diva Stakes field has been released, with Dissident set to start as a clear favourite in the Group 1 event at Flemington this weekend.
Dissident will be chasing a second straight Group 1 win in the 2014 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Dissident (barrier six) stamped himself as a genuine weight-for-age contender with an impressive two and a half lengths victory in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30 and has the opportunity to record a third Group 1 victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes this weekend.
The Sebring entire was only entered in the Memsie Stakes after he was scratched from the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) due to the wet track and trainer Peter Moody believes that the four-year-old will be even better suited in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Puissance De Lune (barrier two) ran home well to finish third behind Dissident in the Memsie Stakes and he will have the opportunity to record a maiden win at Group 1 level after he was included in the Makybe Diva Stakes field.
Foreteller narrowly denied Puissance De Lune in the Makybe Diva Stakes last year, but trainer Darren Weir has set the Shamardal entire for the Group 1 event and is hoping that he can go one better in 204.
Team Hawkes-trained Messene (barrier nine) was well-backed in the lead-up to the Memsie Stakes and received a lovely run in transit, but failed to show his usual turn-of-foot in the final stages to finish ninth.
The Lonhro gelding was having just his second start at weight-for-age level in the Memsie Stakes and co-trainer Wayne Hawkes believes that Messene can produce an improved performance when he makes his debut at Flemington this weekend.
Another galloper in the Makybe Diva Stakes field that should be helped by the long Flemington straight is Chris Waller-trained Boban (barrier four), who had no luck when fifth in the Memsie Stakes.
Boban stormed home late to win the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 9 and he has recorded three wins from as many starts over a mile since joining the Waller stable at the end of 2012.
Talented stayer Sertorius (barrier 11) produced a strong first-up effort in the Memsie Stakes and he will also back-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes on Saturday, while 2013 Australian Cup winner Super Cool (barrier five) will continue his comeback to racing in the Group 1 event.
David Hayes-trained Spillway (barrier eight) is also going into the Makybe Diva Stakes second-up after he resumed with a close second behind Star Rolling in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16.
Macedon Lodge is the only stable with multiple runners in the Makybe Diva Stakes field after both Green Moon and Fawkner were included in the acceptances for the race.
Green Moon (barrier seven) returned to his best form with a second place finish behind Fiorente in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) during his 2014 Melbourne Of Racing campaign, but is still yet to record a race win since he took out the 2012 edition of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Fawkner (barrier three) has not been seen at the races since he finished seventh in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 21 and will likely take plenty of improvement from his first-up run as he heads towards the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
Late Charge (barrier ten) was not included in the Makybe Diva Stakes nominations that were released on Monday, but trainer Wendy Kelly has opted to give the entire another opportunity at Group 1 level after entries for the $400,000 race were extended by 24 hours, while Robbie Laing-trained Don Dormeo (barrier one) was another late entry.
