Makybe Diva Stakes key points and history

MAKYBE DIVA STAKES

1600m, $750,000, weight-for-age

HISTORY

* First run in 1948 when won by Lungi

* Group One from 2013. Run over 2000m 1948-64. Until 2006 known as Craiglee Stakes

NOTABLE WINNERS

* Comic Court (1949), Chicquita (1950/51), Sailor’s Guide (1956/57), Light Fingers (1965), Rain Lover (1969), Dulcify (1979), Zabeel (1990), Mahogany (1994), Jeune (1995), Northerly (2002), Weekend Hussler (2008), Fawkner (2015), Palentino (2016), Humidor (2017)

TALKING POINTS

* Damien Oliver with four wins (Fawkner, Vigor, Sky Heights, Marble Halls) is the most successful modern day jockey ahead of Craig Williams with three

* Last horse to complete Makybe Diva Stakes-Caulfield Cup double: Northerly (2002)

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* Last horse to complete Makybe Diva Stakes-Cox Plate double: Northerly (2002)

* Last horse to complete Makybe Diva-Melbourne Cup double: Rain Lover (1969)

* Humidor is attempting to become the first horse to win the race back-to-back since it was shortened to 1600m

* Darren Weir, represented by Black Heart Bart, Humidor, Tosen Basil and Kings Will Dream, is aiming for a third straight win after Palentino and Humidor

WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING:

“If he has any luck from the barrier he’ll scare the living daylights out of it. But whether we get luck from the barrier is another thing” – Happy Clapper’s trainer Pat Webster

“He’s drawn a nice gate to have a nice run in the race so I think he’ll start to show up from Saturday” – Grunt’s trainer Mick Price.

“He’s the fittest he’s been this campaign and his work on Tuesday morning reflected that” – Kementari’s trainer James Cummings

“He’s going all right. He ran fourth in the Group One over 1400 the other day at Hastings which was a bit sharp for him but it was his first start since the Caulfield Cup” – Jon Snow’s co-trainer Murray Baker

“He’s a seven-year-old by Authorized and if he was coming out from Europe everyone would be excited about him” – Alan Mathews, trainer of Pounamu