The 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington delivered a thrilling finish, with the Team Hayes-trained Mr Brightside cementing his status as a racing legend by claiming his second consecutive victory in the prestigious Group 1 race.
2024 Makybe Diva Stakes winner Mr Brightside chased down Pride Of Jenni to successfully defend his title. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The race, part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, featured a competitive field of talented horses. Mr Brightside, the defending champion, faced stiff competition from Pride Of Jenni, Warmonger, and Via Sistina, among others.
In a closely contested finish, Mr Brightside ($3.50) prevailed over the Ciaron Maher-trained Pride Of Jenni by a narrow margin after reeling in the front-running mare who gave them something to chase in the 77th edition of the now $750,000 mile event.
The now seven-time Group 1 winner was ridden to victory by Craig Williams who secured his fifth win overall in the event.
“He’s a sensational horse. The Hayes’ have done a great job with this horse. Will who straps the horse told me he’s in great order,” Williams said after the win.
“I was very bullish about his chances today. The way he felt, the way he pulled up. It was a harder slow today but he’s got that tenacity to win. He’s an amazing racehorse.
“What I love about this horse. I was here since his third ever race start. I think we wasted three rating points on a horse like him. And now he’s a finished product, once he got to weight-for-age they were just a bit stronger and better than him.
“Now he’s one of the best milers in Australia. He is an absolute delight.
“The boys even added another hear change today so they’re still working on him.”
The race unfolded under clear skies after a day of thunderstorms and track downgrades. Pride Of Jenni, ridden by jockey Declan Bates, set a blistering pace—leading by a whopping seven lengths at one point. But as they turned for home, the chase was on. Mr Brightside, guided by the maestro hoop Craig Williams, timed his move to perfection. With determination and tenacity, he reeled in Pride Of Jenni, crossing the finish line with a half-length advantage.
Mr Brightside etched his name in Makybe Diva Stakes history. Not only did he secure back-to-back victories, but he also became just the third horse ever to achieve this feat since the race transitioned to a mile (1600 meters) and attained Group 1 status.
Co-trainer JD Hayes aptly described Mr Brightside as a “fine wine.”
“That was thrilling. What a spectacle. Pride Of Jenni was so brave out in front as she is and our bloke had to knuckle down to the task. He’s a model of consistency and we’re so glad to have him,” Hayes said.
“He’s unbelievable. He truly is unique. We don’t take it lightly to have a horse like him in the stable. To come back now as an older horse and perform like that is huge. He’s like a fine wine.”
The Tony Gollan-trained Antino completed the trifecta in a distant third.
2024 Makybe Diva Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 4 | 59kg | $3.50 | |||
| 2 | 6 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 0.46L | 7 | 57kg | $5 | ||
| 3 | 4 | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Blake Shinn | 4.71L | 6 | 59kg | $14 | ||
| 4 | 5 | WARMONGER (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Michael Dee | 5.71L | 3 | 58.5kg | $26 | ||
| 5 | 8 | VIA SISTINA (IRE) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6.46L | 1 | 57kg | $2.60F | ||
| 6 | 7 | ATISHU (NZ) | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 10.21L | 5 | 57kg | $11 | ||
| 7 | 2 | PINSTRIPED | Enver Jusufovic | Ben Allen | 18.21L | 8 | 59kg | $11 | ||
| 8 | 3 | CIRCLE OF FIRE (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 21.46L | 2 | 59kg | $41 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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