Looking for this year’s top Makybe Diva Stakes betting markets, odds and form guide? The betting pros at Neds have put together everything you need to know.
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Odds
The 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes odds are already taking shape as punters assess which proven weight‑for‑age stars and emerging spring contenders are ready to fire over the famous Flemington mile. Early Makybe Diva Stakes odds at Neds typically favour elite milers with strong WFA credentials, horses showing sharp trial form, and runners from powerhouse stables targeting major spring features. With Cups‑bound stayers resuming, Cox Plate hopefuls stepping out, and market movers signalling early confidence, Makybe Diva Stakes betting 2026 offers punters a crucial read on the new season’s top‑end talent. Tracking tempo influences, second‑up improvement and key barrier advantages is essential for finding early value before the field locks in and the spring narrative begins to unfold.
| 1. Sheza Alibi | ||
| 2. Autumn Glow | ||
| 3. Aeliana | ||
| 4. Sir Delius | ||
| 5. Jimmysstar | ||
| 6. Cosmic Crusader | ||
| 7. Treasurethe Moment | ||
| 8. Angel Capital | ||
| 9. Autumn Boy | ||
| 10. Gringotts | ||
| 11. Mr Brightside | ||
| 12. Pericles | ||
| 13. Tom Kitten | ||
| 14. Yellow Jersey | ||
| 15. Ceolwulf | ||
| 16. Fangirl | ||
| 17. Lady Shenandoah | ||
| 18. Buckaroo | ||
| 19. Another Wil | ||
| 20. Beiwacht |
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Tips
Our insider 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes tips will be detailed here the week of the Group 1 spring lead-up and a complete Makybe Diva Stakes tips post available on the Neds Blog.
The Makybe Diva Stakes is the second elite level feature of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, the Group 1 mile showdown run over 1600m at the iconic Flemington Racecourse in early to mid-September each season.
A weight-for-age event currently offering $750,000, the Makybe Diva Stakes is one of the first chances to see this season’s most exciting prospects go head-to-head and generally figures as an excellent form predictor leading into the bigger races in October and November.
The Makybe Diva Stakes was formerly known as the Craiglee Stakes before being renamed in 2007 to honour triple Melbourne Cup hero Makybe Diva.
The Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) held the moth before at Caulfield serves as a credible lead-up into the Makybe Diva Stakes, and the double was most recently completed by Mr Brightside (2023) who was the first since Pompeii Ruler (2006).
The opening Group 1 race of the carnival held at Caulfield a fortnight prior, the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) also makes a top lead-up into the Makybe Diva Stakes field with Mr Brightside (2023) also the last to do the double, the first since Dissident (2014) to win both races in the same year.
Inaugurated in 1948, Makybe Diva Stakes has held Group 1 status since 2013 and has been won by plenty of nice horses over the years including Comic Court (1949), Light Fingers (1965), Tobin Bronze (1966), Rose Of Kingston (1982), Northerly (2002), Shocking (2010) who won the previous year’s Melbourne Cup, and subsequent Caulfield Cup champ Incentivise (2021).
Mr Brightside (2023-24) made history as the first two-time Makybe Diva Stakes winner and the first to win the race twice since it became a Group 1 mile event.
Mr Brightside returned for a historic three-peat in 2025.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 – Fast Facts
- Race Day: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Track: Flemington Racecourse
- Surface: Turf
- Track: Left-handed
- Distance: 1600m
- Weight Class: Weight for Age
- Qualification: Three-year-olds and over (excluding maidens)
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Victoria Racing Club
- Purse: $750,000
- Inaugural Race: 1848
- 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Winner: TBD
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Makybe Diva Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How to Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Makybe Diva Stakes |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Makybe Diva Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Makybe Diva Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Makybe Diva Stakes, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the Makybe Diva Stakes, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Makybe Diva Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Makybe Diva Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Makybe Diva Stakes to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the Makybe Diva Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How to Bet on the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2026
- Join up at neds
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Makybe Diva Stakes Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2026
The best way to pick which horse will win the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up Group 1 racing form, assess the barrier draw, and consider their past WFA performances.
Additional factors to consider when selecting the Makybe Diva Stakes winner include:
- Memsie Lead-Up – Looking at runners backing-up off a run in the Memsie Stakes can be key with plenty of recent winners having come out of that earlier Melbourne Group 1 event. The ill-fated I’m Thunderstruck (2nd in 2022) followed by Mr Brightside (1st in 2023 and 2nd in 2024 & 2025) are the latest Makybe Diva Stakes winners to come via a Memsie Stakes lead-up run.
- Back The Boys – Despite the race’s female namesake, Southern Speed (2012) is the only mare to have won the Makybe Diva Stakes since 1996.
- Lay The Favourite – The favourites have a poor record so looking for value further down the markets is key.
Makybe Diva Stakes Favourites 2026
The 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes favourites (at time of publish) include Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman’s class daughter of Saxon Warrior Sheza Alibi who claimed the Randwick Guineas – Doncaster double as a filly in the autumn, the brilliant Chris Waller-trained multiple Group 1 winning mare Autumn Glow and her also dominant Group 1 champion stablemate Aeliana.
Favourites in Makybe Diva Stakes betting have a poor recent record with just five getting the job done from 2008-23.
Dissident ($2.70 in 2014), Fierce Impact ($4 in 2020), the ill-fated I’m Thunderstruck ($2.60 in 2022), and Mr Brightside ($1.85 in 2023) are the latest Makybe Diva Stakes favourites to salute for the punters.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Field
The official line-up of horses in the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes final field will be announced by Racing Victoria the Wednesday of race week and published in full below.
Makybe Diva Stakes Race Day 2026
Race day takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Flemington Racecourse. 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Day features three Group status support acts with the following races also taking place:
- Group 2 $300,000 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m),
- Group 2 $300,000 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m), and the
- Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) previously held in November for Melbourne Cup hopefuls.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Barrier Draw
The 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes barrier draw takes place following final acceptances on the Wednesday of race week. The official 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes barriers will be available in our above Makybe Diva Stakes Field section.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Nominations
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes nominations are taken the Monday of race week with the full list of early entries to be made available below.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Weights
Weight-for-age conditions apply with three-year-old fillies allocated the least weight. Final 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes weights will be announced by 4:00 PM on the Tuesday of race week. The official Makybe Diva Stakes weights will be available in our above Makybe Diva Stakes Field section.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Acceptances
Acceptances must be declared before 9:00 AM on the Wednesday of race week. The official 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes final acceptances will be available in our above Makybe Diva Stakes Field.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Jockeys
The final riders’ announcement is at 12:00 PM on the Wednesday of race week. The official 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes jockeys will be available in our above Makybe Diva Stakes Field section.
Makybe Diva Stakes Scratchings 2026
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Makybe Diva Stakes Prize Money 2026
2026 Makybe Diva Stakes prize money is set at $750,000 including $450,000 going to the Makybe Diva Stakes winner.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $450,000 |
| 2nd | $135,000 |
| 3rd | $67,500 |
| 4th | $33,750 |
| 5th | $18,750 |
| 6th | $15,000 |
| 7th | $15,000 |
| 8th | $15,000 |
Makybe Diva Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes race number is TBC for Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Flemington Racecourse. Makybe Diva Stakes Day features ten races in total.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Form Guide
The final form guide will be available the week before the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances.
Makybe Diva Stakes Winners
Winners of the Makybe Diva Stakes going back to 1983 are displayed in the table below. To view a complete list of past Makybe Diva Stakes winners from the race’s inauguration in 1948 to the present – click here.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer/s | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Mr Brightside | Craig Williams | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 1:38.75 |
| 2024 | Mr Brightside | Craig Williams | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 1:38.98 |
| 2023 | Mr Brightside | Craig Williams | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 1:37.4 |
| 2022 | I’m Thunderstruck | Mark Zahra | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr. | 1.37.8 |
| 2021 | Incentivise | Brett Prebble | Peter G Moody | 1:36.6 |
| 2020 | Fierce Impact | Mark Zahra | Matthew Smith | 1:36.3 |
| 2019 | Gatting | Jamie Kah | Darren McAuliffe | 1:33.9 |
| 2018 | Grunt | Damien Oliver | Mick Price | 1:34.9 |
| 2017 | Humidor | Damian Lane | Darren Weir | 1:35.3 |
| 2016 | Palentino | Mark Zahra | Darren Weir | 1:36.2 |
| 2015 | Fawkner | Damien Oliver | Robert Hickmott | 1:37.9 |
| 2014 | Dissident | Ben Melham | Peter G Moody | 1:36.9 |
| 2013 | Foreteller | Craig Newitt | Chris Waller | 1:37.0 |
| 2012 | Southern Speed | Craig Williams | Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas | 1:37.8 |
| 2011 | Littorio | Craig Williams | Nigel Blackiston | 1:37.8 |
| 2010 | Shocking | Michael Rodd | Mark Kavanagh | 1:41.7 |
| 2009 | Vigor | Damien Oliver | Danny O’Brien | 1:35.8 |
| 2008 | Weekend Hussler | Brad Rawiller | Ross McDonald | 1:38.6 |
| 2007 | Marasco | – | – | 1:36.7 |
| 2006 | Pompeii Ruler | – | – | 1:38.5 |
| 2005 | Confectioner | – | – | 1:35.8 |
| 2004 | Hugs Dancer | G J Childs | D A Hayes | 1:38.2 |
| 2003 | Pentastic | S W Arnold | C Alderson | 1:37.2 |
| 2002 | Northerly | G J Childs | Fred Kersley | 1:37.9 |
| 2001 | Native Jazz | B Prebble | Pat Carey | 1:37.4 |
| 2000 | Go Flash Go | N Wilson | J R Blakey | 1:42.1 |
| 1999 | Sky Heights | D Oliver | C Alderson | – |
| 1998 | Umrum | D Nikolic | L M Macdonald | – |
| 1997 | Marble Halls | D Oliver | D L Freedman | – |
| 1996 | Saleous | P Payne | Pat Hyland | – |
| 1995 | Jeune | W Harris | P C Hayes | – |
| 1994 | Mahogany | Greg Hall | D L Freedman | – |
| 1993 | Mannerism | Rod Griffiths | D L Freedman | – |
| 1992 | Star of the Realm | S R King | John Meagher | – |
| 1991 | Durbridge | Greg Hall | D L Freedman | – |
| 1990 | Zabeel | M Clarke | D A Hayes | – |
| 1989 | Apollo Run | G Willetts | C Alderson | – |
| 1988 | High Regard | W Treloar | T W Harper | – |
| 1987 | Military Plume | M Clarke | C S Hayes | – |
| 1986 | King Phoenix | M Goreham | T R Howe | – |
| 1985 | Fine Offer | M Clarke | H R Hyde | – |
| 1984 | Prolific | D Gauci | Bart Cummings | – |
| 1983 | Pleach | D Gauci | I R McKinlay | – |