{"id":90830,"date":"2026-09-10T12:09:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T02:09:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=90830"},"modified":"2026-09-10T12:09:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T02:09:37","slug":"makybe-diva-stakes-2026-betting-tips-predictions-favourites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/09\/makybe-diva-stakes-2026-betting-tips-predictions-favourites\/","title":{"rendered":"Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 Betting Tips, Predictions & Favourites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The opening Group 1 mile race of the Melbourne spring takes over Flemington Racecourse this weekend, and with a star-studded field of weight-for-age champions doing battle, Neds are here with our expert Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 betting tips, predictions and favourites<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes<\/a><\/strong> (1600m) has once again attracted a serious line\u2011up of spring heavyweights, and punters are in for a beauty. The race has belonged to Lindsay Park\u2019s iron\u2011horse Mr Brightside for three straight years, and the nine\u2011year\u2011old marvel is back chasing an extraordinary fourth Flemington mile triumph. Standing in his way is the rapidly ascending Sheza Alibi \u2014 the Moody\/Coleman star who hasn\u2019t tasted defeat at the distance and looks set to explode second\u2011up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add in Sir Delius resuming with Ladbrokes Cox Plate<\/a> ambitions, Treasurethe Moment rolling forward with her trademark grit, and a deep cast of emerging milers ready to make a statement, and this year\u2019s edition shapes as one of the most intriguing early\u2011spring clashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So who takes control of the famous Flemington straight \u2014 the rising superstar, the seasoned champion, or a value runner ready to flip the script?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below you\u2019ll find our full Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 preview<\/strong>, plus a Same Race Multi <\/strong>for punters chasing a little extra value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 Makybe Diva Stakes Favourites & Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Best Bet<\/div>\n
No. 12 Sheza Alibi<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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SHEZA ALIBI (7)<\/strong>\u00a0steps out as the clear top seed in this year\u2019s Makybe Diva, and with Autumn Glow missing from the line\u2011up, the door swings wide open for the rising star to stamp her authority.<\/p>\n

The Moody\/Coleman mare has never been beaten at the mile, owns one of the most explosive Doncaster<\/a> wins in recent memory, and her Winx Stakes<\/a> return showed she\u2019s come back every bit as sharp \u2014 charging late from midfield to grab second in a high\u2011rating run.<\/p>\n

Her Flemington r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is still building, but she\u2019s already proven she handles the big track, smashing her own kind here last spring in the Group 3 The Vanity<\/a> before rolling straight into a Sandown Guineas<\/a> demolition.<\/p>\n

Even better, she\u2019s a genuine second\u2011up weapon, and Luke Nolen has stuck solid after describing her comeback as \u201cterrific\u201d, which tells you exactly where the stable confidence sits.<\/p>\n

From the draw she\u2019ll slot in behind the speed, switch off, and look to unleash that trademark surge once they straighten.<\/p>\n

If she brings anything close to her autumn peak, she\u2019s going to make life very tough for the rest.<\/p>\n

Neds Verdict:<\/strong> Looks ready to put the field to the sword, the unbeaten mile ace primed to explode second\u2011up and turn the Makybe Diva into another statement performance for the spring.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Flemington R8 – Crown Makybe Diva Stakes (G1)<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
<\/colgroup>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
12. Sheza Alibi (5)<\/span>
J: Luke Nolen<\/span> 56.5kg<\/span><\/div>
111×2<\/span>T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
1.50<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
1.06<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Second run back. First-up after five months made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 56.5kg at $3.50. Previously second-up scored a big 3 len win in the G1 Randwick Guineas on March 7 over 1600m defeating Autumn Boy with 54.5kg at $2.10. Great return, she’ll relish a mile here and is clearly the one to beat.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.neds.com.au\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 12\/09\/2026 12:28:29 PM (Australia\/Brisbane) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
\n Bet Now: Flemington Race 8<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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