We’re back to Headquarters this Saturday with 10 races, including the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, making up the program at Flemington.
The Melbourne Spring Carnival is officially in full swing, and we’ll be treated to a quality feature race over the mile with three-peat champion Mr Brightside taking on the short-priced Sheza Alibi and recent Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, Sir Delius.
The Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality and Let’s Elope Stakes add further intrigue to an important day of racing, with some key chances targeting bigger races as the spring progresses.
The weather in Melbourne is fine, and the track is rated a Good 4, while the rail is in the True position throughout.
Below, you’ll find our race analysis and betting strategy, highlighting all the key runners ahead of 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Day!
SPACE RIDER (1) is unbeaten first-up with an unblemished trio of wins to his name.
He’s likely to really appreciate this drop back in class back from a spell, having last races in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes at Morphettville where he had no luck from the wide gate.
The son to Zoustar appears to have a serious class edge over his rivals with Group 1 experience to his name. A multiple winner over the journey, he maps to get a patient ride in behind the speed under Mark Zahra.
| 1. Space Rider (5) J: Mark Zahra 60kg x100xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation second last of 15 at Morphettville in the G2 Tobin April 25 over 1200m, 7 len behind Tycoon Star with 57.5kg at $81. Previous preparation first-up won by 0.5 len Caulfield G3 Manfred January 24 over 1200m defeating Job Done carrying 57kg at $15. Seems to go best fresh, good enough to figure. | |||
UNIT FIVE (3) looks to be in for a big prep if his first-up run at Caulfield in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes was any indication.
Ciaron Maher’s colt was away fairly and caught four-wide at one point, making up enormous ground from a tricky spot to go within a quarter of a length of the unbeaten American Eagle.
He goes around on Saturday with improvement still to come second-up and a drier track likely aiding his cause. Just needs luck from a tough gate this time to play a factor.
| 3. Unit Five (13) J: Thomas Stockdale 58kg 110×2T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months came from midfield; 2nd of 10 in the G3 HDF McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1200m, slow going head behind American Eagle carrying 58kg at $5.50. Previously second-up won by 1.1 len in the LR Magic Millions 2yo Classic at Gold Coast on January 17 over 1200m defeating Tornado Valley carrying 57kg at $8. Big run fresh, will take holding out. | |||
CALAMARI RING (4) ran a ripper race at odds first-up at Sandown last month on a heavy track, so I’m keen to stick with her.
The Street Boss filly came from a long way back to make up several lengths rounding the turn, filling the minor placings in fine style to finish half a length off the winner Buggsy.
She’s clearly returned in terrific order with limited racing to her name since winning on debut at Flemington on Champions Day last year. Back on a dry deck with Ethan Brown taking over, she appeals in a big way if she can settle closer to the speed this time from a wider gate.
| 4. Calamari Ring (10) J: Ethan Brown 57.5kg 1x9x3T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Having second run back today. Last start 3rd of 9 in a 3yo Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1000m, on rain affected going; 0.5 len behind Buggsy with 53kg at $11. At only start last preparation 9th of 16 in the LR Inglis Millennium at Randwick on February 7 over 1100m, 4 len behind Fireball carrying 54.5kg at $5. | |||
PARADOXIUM (1) is preparing for his first start in Melbourne coming off a likable trial win at Rosehill a few weeks ago.
The colt to Extreme Choice mixed his form over the autumn, the highlight being a fresh win of the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Randwick, before some tricky gates saw the rest of his prep undone in the Slipper and the Sires’ Produce Stakes.
He’s drawn to get the gun run on Saturday though from barrier 3 and is another one who typically flies fresh from a break.
| 1. Paradoxium (3) J: Jason Collett 58.5kg x106xT: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign sixth of 13 at Randwick in the G1 Sires Prod April 4 over 1400m, soft track; 7 len behind Campione D’italia with 56.5kg at $8. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.4 len Randwick G2 Todman March 7 over 1200m defeating Stretan Ruler with 56.5kg at $2.60. | |||
LITZDEEL (2) ran a ripper race in behind Saint George last time out at Caulfield, trying her guts out over the late stages to finish just over a length off.
She’s well overdue a win based on recent efforts, resuming on the Heath track the run prior where she was again strong to the line when settling for fourth behind First Chorus.
The wide gate leaves Blake Shinn with some work to do, but she’s relished 2400m in the past and looks set to peak third-up.
| 2. Litzdeel (9) J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg 25×42T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 4th of 10 in a Bm100 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1800m, slow going 2 len behind First Chorus with 57kg at $11. Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 15 in a Qlty at Caulfield on August 29 over 2000m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Saint George with 55.5kg at $8.50. | |||
CAFE MILLENIUM (1) is a bit of a horse for this course, with three of his five career wins coming here at Headquarters.
The barrier saw him five-wide fresh at Caulfield over 1400m two weeks earlier, a position he never really recovered from when finishing over eight lengths off down the order.
His second-up form suggests there’s bounce back potential though and we did see him win over this track and distance at this stage of his prep earlier in the year.
Needs luck from another awful gate, but he’ll be much better suited returning to Flemington.
| 1. Cafe Millenium (11) J: Mark Zahra 59kg 150×0T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months 10th of 12 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Fancify with 60kg at $26. Previously second-up won by 0.5 len in the LR Elms Hcp (VRC March Stakes) at this track on February 14 over 1400m defeating Sabaj carrying 59.5kg at $4.60. | |||
OLIVEANOTHERDAY (5) continues to answer the bell, even if his latest win at Caulfield left a bit to be desired.
The son to Nicconi pulled away very late to go a length clear in The Heath 1100, tracking along in behind the speed in what was a slowly run race.
What matters is he still got the job done in the end, and although this is a tougher assignment, he’s still got plenty of improving to do second-up.
From barrier 8, he maps to land around midfield and save his best for the finish again under Harry Coffey.
| 5. Oliveanotherday (7) J: Harry Coffey 57kg 111×1T: Tom Dabernig | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.5 len in a G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1100m in soft going defeating Bridal Waltz with 58kg at $2.30. Previously second-up favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win in a 3yo Bm66 at Caulfield Heath on March 18 over 1200m defeating Hotspur Reale with 60.5kg at $1.40. Big chance to add to the picket fence. | |||
SIR DELIUS (4) just might remind us all that he’s one of the best horses in the country.
The Waterhouse/Bott-trained son to Frankel has been given a nice holiday after winning the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes to wrap up his autumn, returning to the track for a couple of trials last month at Randwick where he never missed a beat.
He’ll have his work cut out fresh against Sheza Alibi, but considering that same mare ran second to Autumn Glow two weeks ago in the Winx Stakes, a mare Sir Delius beat in the QE, this stacks up very well for chis chances.
Craig Williams hopping off Mr Brightside for the ride is also significant and the pair look likely to settle in the front half early and test their luck close to the speed.
| 4. Sir Delius (9) J: Craig Williams 59kg x331xT: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Entire returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign by 2.25 len Randwick G1 Queen Eliz April 11 over 2000m defeating Lindermann with 59kg at $6. First up last campaign third of 9 at Randwick in the G1 V Elleegant February 28 over 1600m, soft track; 4 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $8. | |||
SALTY PEARL (1) can mix her form but is typically a very honest mare, as we saw first-up when she resumed to run third in the Group 3 Courtza Stakes at Caulfield.
She drew a similar assignment out wide to the one she faces on Saturday, getting right back in the run before Ben Allen had her in a lovely spot entering the straight.
The way she charged the line indicated she’s ready to handle further, and atlhough this is still short of her best, she’s easy to have second-up with fitness on her side.
| 1. Salty Pearl (10) J: Ben Allen 57.5kg 135×3T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 3rd of 12 in the G3 Courtza (WW Cockram) Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2.75 len behind Custom with 59kg at $15. Previously second-up made ground from midfield; 2nd of 9 in the G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield on February 21 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 58.5kg at $5. | |||
SUNTORA (8) did enough late at Caulfield last month to warrant considereation.
Nick Ryan’s mare was never really suited by the slightly wet track, dropping back to second-last in the early stages, before running on late to finish sixth in the end under Mark Zahra.
That was her first run back since the autumn where she put together a tidy run of placings at Group 2 and Stakes level, including a third to Treasurethe Moment.
Dropping 2kg in the saddle this time, her below-average record here at Flemington is really the only knock.
| 8. Suntora (7) J: Daniel Stackhouse 55.5kg 333×6T: Nick Ryan | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months eased back early on 6th of 12 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Fancify carrying 57.5kg at $91. Previously second-up 4th of 11 in a Bm66 at Pakenham on October 17 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Kirribilli with 58.5kg at $81. | |||
