MAKYBE DIVA STAKES G1

RACE 8 - 1600m

SHEZA ALIBI / SIR DELIUS / MR BRIGHTSIDE / TREASURETHE MOMENT

SHEZA ALIBI, a bargain acquisition at $10,000, is presented with an opportunity to reaffirm her Doncaster triumph as she steps up to the mile. Her recent second-place finish to AUTUMN GLOW in the Winx Stakes (1400m), fresh from a spell, was particularly noteworthy, especially considering the distance was not ideally suited to the mare. From Rockhampton to the big smoke of Flemington, we suspect she could be too good for them here if able to gain some clear air late.

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The latest trial of SIR DELIUS really caught the eye as he bounded forward with consummate ease and Craig Williams links up with the Gai/Bott trained horse. He is poised for a highly competitive performance having remained inactive since his commanding victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes - a world-class display that decisively overwhelmed his competitors. The FRANKEL gelding has demonstrated in recent trials that he is in peak condition and Willo is expected to secure a forward position early, making him difficult to pass.

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MR BRIGHTSIDE is racing for a piece of Australian racing history in Saturday’s Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes as the ‘’peaking’’ nine-year-old makes an attempt at a fourth straight victory in the Group One race. He was nine months off the scene and while he got well beaten in the Memsie, it was still a very good performance for 2nd. Blake Shinn takes over from Craig Williams who opts for SIR DELIUS, but you can never underestimate the power, strength and sheer will to win of a genuine champion such as this.

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All the stats fall in TREASURETHE MOMENT's favour and she does possess the class to fight her way into the finish despite coming up against two of the best racehorses in Australia. The ALABAMA EXPRESS mare has won 3 from 4 at Flemington and 4 from 5 second up, which is impressive considering her first up effort for 4th in the Memsie was far terrible and she did win an Oaks on the course. The draw is an issue, so it will be up to Damian Lane to settle her early before launching at the line.

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LET'S ELOPE STAKES G2

RACE 9 - 1400m

GOLD COAST BELLE / BUTTERNUT PRINCESS / SALTY PEARL

A step up in class was no barrier for GOLD COAST BELLE who outclassed her rivals in a BM88 1300m at Sandown, including the impressive TENNESSEE BOUND. The daughter of SO YOU THINK made it four wins on end at her first start since winning the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) in May and trainer Danny O’Brien has now raised the bar at her home track going to Stakes grade. Travelled well and handled the soft ground comfortably at Sandown, so ticked a few boxes for the team and can only improve into this.

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BUTTERNUT PRINCESS encountered traffic issues throughout the straight at Caulfield in her most recent outing and was denied a full opportunity; therefore, her previous performance where she demonstrated significant late momentum to secure a strong third remains the most reliable indicator of her potential. The Moody/Coleman trained CAPITALIST mare looks to have come up very well this time in and we quite like the connection to the wonderful BALLROOM BABE on the maternal side who possessed a slick pair of heels.

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The Ciaron Maher-trained mare SALTY PEARL was excellent last season but did run into a couple better as she was developing her racing craft. Won the Gr.2 Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley in Oct, then placed in the Manfred, Armanasco and Kewney before winning the Platinum Guineas here over the mile. Did well for 3rd in the Vinery but couldn't do enough in the Australasian Oaks in SA. Nice TAGALOA mare who will improve and will be looking for more ground but can hit the line late.

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BOBBY LEWIS QUALITY G2

RACE 7 - 1200m

OLIVEANOTHERDAY / KING OF ROSEAU / ARKANSAW KID

OLIVEANOTHERDAY is currently highly favoured in the market and warrants serious consideration. While he secured a dominant victory in his recent Caulfield debut, it is worth noting that he benefited from a nice position behind the leader in a slow-paced event, requiring only a 150m sprint to win in a field of limited depth. He must now demonstrate further improvement, although he has consistently met such challenges when required.

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KING OF ROSEAU represents a compelling each-way proposition and is just a bullet in this state first up so just has to be given serious consideration. Given his proven performance fresh, preference for straight tracks and firm ground, he should logically be positioned closer in price to the fave. Furthermore, the field lacks significant depth beyond the hot horse, making his current price appear highly undervalued. Can certainly make a race of it.

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We don't believe ARKANSAW KID is fully out of this and possibly needed that last 2nd-up run following a solid return for 3rd behind BOOMTOWN BOSS in the Aurie's Star (1200m) on the course at the beginning of August. The Hayes boys have likely put plenty more work into the HARRY ANGEL gelding who holds a great record at the track/trip and should still be relatively fresh in condition. Tidy inside gate with Zahra on and these odds seem a bit far-fetched having won this race 12 months ago.

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LEXUS ARCHER STAKES G3

RACE 5 - 2500m

NEARCO FROD / SHOCKLETZ / LITZDEEL

NEARCO FROD, a progressive stayer under the training of Team McEvoy, secured two victories over 2400m at Sandown in July, demonstrating an affinity for the course. Went forward and drew clear over 2520m at Flemington and just seems to have reached a level you would expect from a Melbourne Cup winning stable. Got the job done again ay the latest over 2500m at Sandown, and whatever they are doing is working a treat as he has improved gradually at each juncture and stepped up to the mark. Could make it five straight.

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SHOCKLETZ is anticipated to perform optimally this Saturday, following three satisfactory runs since May. While her previous performances did not achieve the desired results, she enough resilience.Should score every opportunity on a course and distance she enjoys and really when this girl gets going, her final sectionals can be impressive. SHOCKLETZ continued to develop through the staying ranks last season before a carefully managed preparation by Ciaron Maher this campaign with the 2026 Melbourne Cup the end goal

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LITZEEL is an out-and-out stayer who ran fifth in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) in April running on to the line strongly and can measure up. This trip is his thing, but with a jumpout behind her we believe the DUNDEEL mare could go a strong race over this trip if the pace is on early. LITZDEEL won the Gr.3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville after finishing 2nd in the VRC St Leger (2800m) and has turned into a nice four-year-old stayer. Definitely the fresh legs should see her offer a bold effort, although not suited to a sit and spriint.

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CAP D'ANTIBES STAKES G3

RACE 3 - 1000m

STREISAND / SCINTILLATION / GIN TWIST

STREISAND achieved a significant victory in the Gr.1 Blue Diamond (1200m) in February, building on her prior success in the Fillies Prelude, with the firm track conditions at Caulfield proving highly advantageous for the MAGNUS filly. Went on to finish 2nd to GUEST HOUSE in thr Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) here at Rosehill, but failed in the Sires Produce coming to the end of a hard two-year-old prep. Looks the standout in this if fully wound up with two trials to get her ready.

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The I AM INVINCIBLE filly SCINTILLATION found the front at the 250m at Randwick and although they were eating into her lead, managed to hold on for a nice win in July. Won on debut at Gosford before being outsprinted by MEDICINAL in the Ottawa at Flemington and more experience now behind the O'Shea/Charlton trained filly. Chased home NATURAL FLING in the Gr.3 Quezette (1100m) at Caulfield but will need to continue to improve as a progressive three-year-old on the rise.

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We believe GIN TWIST has been undervalued, despite consistently delivering strong performances, including two victories and three third-place finishes. Kept going soundly to claim the Festival (1000m) at Flemington, but couldn't match SATONO GLOW in the Breeders here, although she bounced back by winning the Redoute's Choice leading all the way over 1200m at Caulfield. Two nice jumpouts for a fast HOME AFFAIRS filly who will be in this for a long way.

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POSEIDEN STAKES G3

RACE 4 - 1100m

PARADOXIUM / STEEL WILL / BIG SKY

The Bjorn Baker-trained PARADOXIUM is by EXTREME CHOICE out of a BETTER THAN READY mare in PAREDO, with the stable and Clarke Bloodstock paying $400,000 for the colt. Won the Gr.2 Todman (1200m) in March before drawing wide in both the Slipper and Sires Produce. Very smart last trial and the stable seem very happy with how he has come up.

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STEEL WILL trialed up brilliantly before having a bit on them winning his maiden at Wyong (1100m) in August, and the I AM INVINCIBLE colt then stalked the leaders at Rosehill with JMac aboard, wearing down SAVVY DIAMOND from the 100m finding extra. This Chris Waller-trained colt is beginning to look a bit special but comes up against even stronger competition and will need to lift again.

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BIG SKY is a compelling prospect worthy of consideration despite a lack of experience. The Price/Kent-trained colt returns following two victories to commence his autumn campaign, during which he emerged as a primary Blue Diamond contender before being sidelined by injury. Having benefited from a substantial recovery period, he has demonstrated promising form in recent jumpouts.

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TONTONAN STAKES (L)

RACE 6 - 1400m

SASS APPEAL / AZTEC RULER / WELCOMETOTHESHOW

We know how highly trainer Danny O'Brien rates his SO YOU THINK mare SASS APPEAL, although she scored a top run at Caulfield last start weakening into fourth. No issues leading all the way to win here over the trip in August and also claimed the Desirable Stakes (1400m) and Gr.2 Kewney (1600m) at Flemington in March, so a serious affinity for the course and probably needed that 2nd-up run to sharpen her up. Great draw and better off on a firm track.

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The former WA galloper AZTEC RULER is yet to win here in five attempts, but we have always liked the ability of this gelding who ran a much improved race last start at Caulfield looking for a return to form. Hasn't won one in Melbourne, claiming the Carbine at Ascot nearly two years back, then 2nd in that race to COSMIC CRUSADER a year on. Finished 2nd in the Elms at Flemington but we like the way he rallied at the lastest behind FANCIFY and Matt Laurie may have him in firm condition now. Dangerous at best and an eachway chance.

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WELCOMETOTHESHOW is demonstrating strong form of late and he is a highly progressive type who cam run a big race from this gate. Following a narrow defeat first-up at Caulfield Heath, the horse delivered an impressive performance in the Goulburn Cup, closing significantly from the rear to finish behind JUST PARTY. Given its affinity for Flemington and current peak fitness, a highly competitive performance is anticipated if Newitt can offer a positive ride.

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