Makybe Diva Stakes 2025 Betting Tips - Via Sistina Headlines a Small Field

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Wed 24 Sep 2025 06:58

Alex Marsh 24 Sep 2025

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The 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes features just six runners
Via Sistina is favourite at $1.95 after Winx Stakes win; Antino is value at $7
James McDonald partners Via Sistina in the Makybe Diva Stakes as he continues his pursuit of Damien Oliver’s all-time Group 1 record

Expired

Via Sistina & Aeliana will clash again. (Getty)

The 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes headlines Saturday’s Flemington card, with six runners accepted for the $750,000 Group 1 over 1600m.

2025 Makybe Diva Stakes Tips
2025 Makybe Diva Stakes - Field & Odds

Via Sistina has opened as the $1.95 favourite with Dabble, as punters look towards the champion mare to stamp her authority early in the spring.

2025 Makybe Diva Stakes Tips

2025 Makybe Diva Stakes Best Bet - Via Sistina

With $2.80 available at the jump, Via Sistina got out to a fair enough price when resuming in the Winx Stakes, but the early market looks about right again here.

She fought off the late challenge of stablemate Aeliana, who she reopposes in the Makybe Diva Stakes, and you could make a genuine case for either runner out of that August 23 clash.

The ten-time Group 1 winner gets the nod, and while disappointing when second-up in last year’s Makybe Diva Stakes, that was on testing ground. She improved off her autumn return when saluting second-up over this trip in March.

It’s been a strong start to the new season for champion hoop James McDonald, who is well within striking distance of Damien Oliver’s Group 1 record of 129.

2025 Makybe Diva Stakes Value Bet - Antino

Mr Brightside performed better in the Memsie Stakes and sets up kinder on the map, however Antino shapes as the biggest second-up improver in this field.

The Queenslander entered Cox Plate and spring calculations with brilliant back-to-back wins in May, and while those came at 1800m–2000m, he was initially considered more of a sprinter-miler.

Along with having a consistent record at 1600m, the Tony Gollan-trained galloper also boasts strong second-up stats, with four wins and a third from six attempts.

With just one quiet jump-out leading in and then making an early wide move fresh in the Memsie, his Caulfield return looked a blowout run, and he can improve sharply here.

2025 Makybe Diva Stakes - Field & Odds

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Odds
1	Mr Brightside (NZ)	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	Craig Williams	1	59kg	$5.50
2	Tom Kitten	Anthony & Sam Freedman	Ben Melham	6	59kg	$11
3	Antino (NZ)	Tony Gollan	Blake Shinn	4	59kg	$7
4	Mark Twain (NZ)	Roger James & Robert Wellwood	Jamie Mott	3	59kg	$101
5	Via Sistina (IRE)	Chris Waller	James McDonald	2	57kg	$1.95
6	Aeliana (NZ)	Chris Waller	Damian Lane	5	56.5kg	$3.70

Odds courtesy of Dabble & correct on 10/09/2025.

Verdict

Makybe Diva Stakes

Our tips for the 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes are:

Via Sistina

To Win

$1.95 - 5 Units

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Antino

To Win

$7.00 - 1 Unit

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