Flemington Betting Tips for September 12, 2026 - Race-by-Race Preview for Makybe Diva Stakes Day
- Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes headlines a strong 10-race card at Flemington on Saturday
- Race-by-race tips, analysis and selections for every race on the program
- Best bets, value chances and key runners assessed across the feature events
Saturday racing at Flemington is highlighted by the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. (Getty)
Group 1 racing returns to Flemington on Saturday, September 12, with the Makybe Diva Stakes headlining a strong 10-race program.
- Flemington Tips September 12
- Race 1 - 12:10PM TAB We're On Tips (1200m)
- Race 2 - 12:40PM Michael Moroney Tips (1400m)
- Race 3 - 1:15PM Cap D'Antibes Stakes Tips (1100m)
- Race 4 - 1:50PM Schweppes Poseidon Stakes Tips (1100m)
- Race 5 - 2:30PM Lexus Archer Stakes Tips (2500m)
- Race 6 - 3:05PM De Bortoli Tontonan Stakes Tips (1400m)
- Race 7 - 3:40PM HKJC World Pool Bobbie Lewis Quality Tips (1200m)
- Race 8 - 4:20PM Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Tips (1600m)
- Race 9 - 4:55PM Asahi Super Dry Let's Elope Stakes Tips (1400m)
- Race 10 - 5:25PM Ronald McDonald House Vic/Tas Trophy Tips (1700m)
The 1600m weight-for-age feature has attracted a deep field, with Sheza Alibi, Sir Delius, Half Yours and three-time defending champion Mr Brightside among the leading contenders.
There is plenty of depth across the supporting card as well, including the Bobbie Lewis Quality, Let's Elope Stakes, Archer Stakes, Poseidon Stakes and Cap D'Antibes Stakes.
Below is our race-by-race preview and tips for all 10 races at Flemington, while Live Racing & Sports Updates has the latest analysis, previews and coverage from all codes.
Flemington Tips September 12
Race 1 - 12:10PM TAB We're On Tips (1200m)
Very tricky race to open Saturday's Group 1 program at Flemington, with just six runners remaining after the scratching of Eagle Express and it's an extremely open market.
6. Jett Smash resumes after showing plenty of promise across his first two campaigns. He was green on debut last September before winning four on the bounce, including a hat-trick to open his autumn preparation, and was only beaten half a length when fourth over a mile at Caulfield before spelling.
There's a good platform underneath him with three jump-outs completed, including a narrow defeat behind a Group 1 winner before contesting a handy Flemington heat on September 4. He's prepared by the in-form Danny O'Brien yard.
4. Moby Dick has never been the easiest horse to catch, but he's the only straight-track winner in the field and that has to be respected. He's been thereabouts in his past two, including a BM88 at Sandown on August 22 won by smart mare Gold Coast Belle.
7. Ruska Roma resumes after winning at stakes level over 1400m in November and remains lightly raced entering her four-year-old season. 5. Naval Academy was a touch plain at Caulfield last time but has since won a jump-out and was runner-up in his latest Flemington straight hit-out.
Selections: 6-4-7-5.
Race 2 - 12:40PM Michael Moroney Tips (1400m)
The only horse to make any real inroads from off the speed in the Vain Stakes was 4. Big Wigs, who kicked off his campaign over 1100m at Caulfield on August 15 after being spelled following his VOBIS Showdown success in March.
He's since completed a workmanlike Pakenham jump-out on September 1. The rise from 1100m to 1400m isn't necessarily a straightforward progression second-up, but both his fresh effort and most recent hit-out suggest he'll appreciate the extra distance.
Bred and owned by the same connections as Makybe Diva and carrying her famous colours, he'd be a sentimental winner on Saturday.
It was hard to miss the return of 3. Unit Five, who just missed American Eagle when that galloper had more favours in running and a fitness edge. He has a wide draw to overcome but must be among the leading chances off that performance, while he steps beyond 1200m for the first time.
12. Somethings Burnin' won a handy Sandown maiden first-up and should have made it two straight on the Hillside circuit on September 2 after an unlucky defeat. The extra 100m shouldn't trouble him. 9. Cliff Runner is the blowout. Resumed gelded and there was enough to like about the Seymour breakthrough. Rise in trip suits.
Selections: 4-3-12-9.
Race 3 - 1:15PM Cap D'Antibes Stakes Tips (1100m)
It will be interesting to see what the market does late with 14. Over Excited, who rises straight to Group 3 level following a Geelong maiden victory.
The Freedman-trained filly looks a classy type and is superbly bred, being by Zoustar out of Group 1-winning sprinter I Am Excited. She was kept comfortable and ridden like a good thing on debut after showing promise in her jump-outs.
Hard not to be impressed by the debut victory of 9. Lucky Brook at Caulfield on June 27. The Greg Eurell-trained filly covered ground throughout but still won comfortably, while Blake Shinn sticks after partnering her in an August 19 Caulfield Heath jump-out victory, where she was under a firm hold.
It's a touch surprising 2. Satono Glow isn't outright favourite in early markets. She overcame a slow tempo to win on debut, then came south and saluted up the Flemington straight before an unlucky defeat in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes. That straight-track experience is a major positive.
The form was mixed through 13. Chapados' first campaign, but her recent trials have been encouraging, particularly her latest Flemington hit-out when good through and past the line. She could add some value to the exotics.
Selections: 14-9-2-13.
Race 4 - 1:50PM Schweppes Poseidon Stakes Tips (1100m)
The boys step out in the Poseidon Stakes and it's a strong group assembled for the Group 3, headed in early markets by 6. Mbube.
He was heavily supported before his June 13 debut at Sandown Hillside and justified that backing with a slick victory. The son of Rubick arrives here off two August trials, moving nicely on both occasions, including an August 31 Cranbourne win.
Mark Zahra was aboard for both hit-outs and retains the ride. Zahra has also ridden the past two winners of this race, while a crossover noseband goes on for Mbube's first look at the Flemington straight.
3. Big Sky impressed with back-to-back wins from two starts in his first campaign, including a comfortable debut victory up the Flemington straight before a three-length Group 3 Chairman's Stakes success at Caulfield. Mbube appeared to work better than him in a recent jump-out, but race day will tell the story.
1. Paradoxium heads south for Bjorn Baker after failing to progress later in autumn, although that campaign opened with an all-the-way Todman Stakes victory. 2. Hard Kick won a strong race on debut before a break, put in a shocker fresh on July 18 and then bounced back with a much better Vain Stakes effort.
Selections: 6-3-1-2.
Race 5 - 2:30PM Lexus Archer Stakes Tips (2500m)
The Archer Stakes provides the winner with a ballot-free route into the Melbourne Cup, although I'd be surprised if any of these played a major role on the first Tuesday in November.
The market understandably leans towards the in-form runners, but at a long price 10. Suffolk Star could be worth an each-way look. He improved sharply last season with three metropolitan wins over 3000m, so staying is certainly no concern.
When in the inferior part of the track, his Andrew Ramsden Stakes effort over 2800m at Flemington before a break was sound, and he's no stranger to kicking off a campaign over a staying journey after resuming over 2400m in February. Paul Preusker regularly gives his stayers a similar grounding, so he should have the work underneath him.
4. Jennivamoose could be ready to peak third-up at 2500m after building nicely in two runs back from a long break. She finished fourth in this race last year and hasn't finished outside the top four over this distance, with two wins and a second among that record.
3. Nearco Frod is the in-form runner chasing five straight after handling all conditions through his winning streak, including a comfortable Flemington victory on August 1. 2. Litzdeel was brave fresh, found one better second-up at Caulfield and could also be tracking towards a peak third-up performance.
Selections: 10-4-3-2.
Race 6 - 3:05PM De Bortoli Tontonan Stakes Tips (1400m)
If there's one galloper you don't mind drawing wide, it's 1. Cafe Millenium, who should get the galloping room he needs under Mark Zahra as he returns to his ideal Flemington 1400m set-up.
He wasn't as effective at Caulfield when disappointing on return a fortnight ago, although he endured a tough run there. His past two second-up attempts have both resulted in track-and-trip victories, the latest at Listed level in February.
He'll likely settle back from barrier 11, but there appears enough speed on paper to give him his chance to launch late.
The winning run of 8. Sass Appeal ended on Memsie Stakes Day when she wasn't able to get things all her own way. That was also her first look at a Soft track and she remains unbeaten from three starts over the Flemington 1400m, including her August 1 return victory. She draws well and remains a deserving favourite.
6. Lim's Saltoro returned well at Group 3 level in Adelaide despite not handling a testing track and has since won a jump-out. Blinkers go on as he continues his comeback from a long break. 5. Immediacy missed Sandown last Saturday and can produce a big run fresh, having narrowly gone down to subsequent Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man first-up in February.
Selections: 1-8-6-5.
Race 7 - 3:40PM HKJC World Pool Bobbie Lewis Quality Tips (1200m)
One of the more exciting up-and-coming sprinters in the country is 5. Oliveanotherday, who was expertly placed by Tom Dabernig throughout his previous campaign before returning with another impressive victory on Memsie Stakes Day.
He overcame some traffic to score stylishly by a length and a half at Group 3 level, continuing a winning streak that now stretches across five starts. The main query is his first look at the Flemington straight, which has brought plenty of talented sprinters undone in the past.
This is the right opportunity for connections to find out whether the straight course becomes part of his spring plans. He's still the deserved favourite and is likely to start short.
4. King Of Roseau has to be respected fresh and is already a Group 3 winner up the Flemington straight. He was in strong form earlier this year, taking out the Magic Millions Cup before completing a hat-trick in the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford.
9. Recon was okay first-up in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes and all six career wins have come on Good tracks, including a stylish second-up victory in April. 6. Abounding simply doesn't handle wet ground, hence her Sandown scratching last Saturday, and the Robert Heathcote-trained mare has generally raced well in Melbourne when conditions suit.
Selections: 5-4-9-6.
Race 8 - 4:20PM Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Tips (1600m)
There was no excuse in the much-anticipated clash with Autumn Glow first-up in the Winx Stakes, but it was still a strong return from 12. Sheza Alibi.
She is unbeaten from three second-up runs, a record that includes a Flemington victory in her first preparation for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. There was also a sharp ratings spike second-up last campaign when she announced herself at the highest level with a dominant Randwick Guineas victory in her first Group 1 attempt.
That Sydney trip should have brought her on further, while the middle draw looks ideal for Luke Nolen to find a comfortable rhythm. With even luck, she owns the best turn-of-foot in the field over this trip and looks clearly the horse to beat.
Whether 4. Sir Delius has the brilliance to worry Sheza Alibi over a mile remains to be seen, particularly after appearing one-paced behind Autumn Glow and Aeliana at his most recent attempt over the trip. Class should still take him a long way. He remains the only horse to have beaten Autumn Glow, doing so in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes before a spell, and has won two Sydney trials ahead of this return.
The forgotten horse could be 2. Half Yours after an underwhelming Brisbane winter, but that preparation doesn't tell the full story. He came through a similar Queensland platform before last spring, while one of the best performances of his previous campaign came fresh over 1400m at Group 1 level. His Melbourne record is strong and recent trials have been sound, including work at Flemington. At his best, he possesses the late sprint to trouble most of this field and comes into top-three and top-four calculations at a big price.
What a warhorse 1. Mr Brightside has been. The nine-year-old returned from missing autumn with obvious queries but showed all his trademark fight when rallying for second in the Memsie Stakes. Winkers go back on as he attempts to win the Makybe Diva Stakes for a fourth consecutive year.
Selections: 12-4-2-1.
Race 9 - 4:55PM Asahi Super Dry Let's Elope Stakes Tips (1400m)
The daughter of So You Think, 4. Gold Coast Belle, remains very lightly raced with seven starts and has been incredibly genuine for Danny O'Brien, recording five wins and two seconds.
She chases a fifth consecutive victory after kicking off this campaign with a Heavy 8 success at Sandown on August 22, where she defeated the previously unbeaten Tennessee Bound. That form reads well after Tennessee Bound subsequently finished second at Group 3 level.
Gold Coast Belle worked through the grades nicely in autumn, highlighted by a brave Bendigo Guineas victory when covering ground. The main knock is second-up, given her most recent defeat came at this stage of a campaign, although she was still only beaten half a length. Against her own sex, she can roll forward and take plenty of catching.
1. Salty Pearl is as honest as they come and simply doesn't know how to run a bad race. The 1200m was short of her best when resuming on August 29, but she still finished off nicely. The 1400m to 1600m range is more suitable and she's yet to miss the money from three second-up attempts.
Wary of 8. On Display despite an underwhelming previous campaign. She can produce a good run fresh, blinkers go on and she was good through the line in her latest 800m Cranbourne jump-out. 9. Butternut Princess may have been a good thing beaten on Memsie Stakes Day. This is stronger company, but she brings race fitness and could fill a top-three or top-four spot with even luck.
Selections: 4-1-8-9.
Race 10 - 5:25PM Ronald McDonald House Vic/Tas Trophy Tips (1700m)
There's still a long way to go before we know whether 13. Storm Leopard measures up in stronger company through spring, but the lightly raced Hayes-trained galloper could emerge as an early Caulfield Cup smoky.
He impressed throughout his three-year-old season, particularly once getting up in distance, while he was also competitive over shorter trips earlier in his preparations. His first-up effort at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes Day was very encouraging in a race dominated by those closer to the speed.
Storm Leopard was excellent through the line, recording the fastest last 800m and 600m of that BM100. The rise to 1700m looks a much better set-up and, despite the wide draw, he faces several rivals who are either exposed or out of form. With natural improvement from that return, he can take care of this lot.
Stablemate 9. Justadeel is no world-beater but sets up okay third-up from a spell. His Sydney return was solid before he failed to get through a Heavy 8 last time, and returning to firmer ground should help. He also maps nicely.
Have to respect 18. Mr Verse if he gains a start as second emergency. He's building towards another win, although he's also accepted in Sydney where he draws better in an easier assignment. 10. Asva caught the eye fresh at Flemington before failing to settle when sent forward at Sandown last time. He could improve sharply third-up.
Selections: 13-9-18-10.
Verdict
Our best & value bets for Saturday's Flemington card are:
Gold Coast Belle
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Storm Leopard
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$3.20 - 3 Units
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Cafe Millenium
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$9.00 - 2 Units
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Suffolk Star
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$41.00 - 1 Unit
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