Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 - Barrier Draw & Final Field
Group 1 racing returns to Flemington on September 12 for the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes, highlighting a high-caliber weight-for-age lineup over 1600m. Key contenders include three-time defending champion Mr Brightside, rising stars like Sheza Alibi and Sir Delius, and accomplished trainers Peter Moody, Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott, and Chris Waller. The field also features notable runners from recent Group 1 events, making this year's clash one of the most anticipated early spring contests. The Makybe Diva Stakes continues its tradition as a pivotal race launching elite horses into memorable spring campaigns.
- Makybe Diva Stakes brings Group 1 weight-for-age racing to the Flemington mile
- Barrier draw and final field have been released for Saturday, September 12 feature
- Several major spring contenders use the race as an important early-season test
Sheza Alibi has drawn barrier seven in the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes. (Getty)
Group 1 racing returns to Flemington on Saturday, September 12, with the Makybe Diva Stakes bringing together a high-class weight-for-age field over 1600m.
The feature is headlined by Sheza Alibi (barrier 7), who steps to the Flemington mile after finishing runner-up to Autumn Glow first-up in the Winx Stakes.
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained mare was beaten without excuse at Randwick, but connections remain confident she is ready to take another step second-up and have pressed on to the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Sir Delius (barrier 9) resumes for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after an outstanding 2025/26 season highlighted by Group 1 victories in the Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
He has won both lead-up trials and worked strongly at Flemington this week, with connections making it clear he is ready to run well despite the mile being short of his ideal distance.
Three-time defending champion Mr Brightside (barrier 2) returns to a race he has made his own after winning the past three editions.
The nine-year-old resumed with a solid Memsie Stakes performance after a lengthy break and Lindsay Park believes that run has brought him on significantly ahead of his bid for a fourth straight Makybe Diva Stakes.
Chris Waller adds plenty of depth through Aeliana (barrier 13), Autumn Boy (barrier 5), Birdman (barrier 4) and Buckaroo (barrier 3).
Aeliana finished runner-up in this race last year and remains one of the leading middle-distance mares of the spring, while Autumn Boy steps back to the Flemington mile after resuming in the Memsie Stakes.
Birdman and Buckaroo also give Waller several options, although both had been considered for the Underwood Stakes as an alternative assignment.
Defending Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours (barrier 12) resumes for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, with Jamie Melham booked to ride.
Treasurethe Moment (barrier 10) steps to 1600m second-up after resuming in the Memsie Stakes, with the defending Group 1 winner expected to appreciate the rise in distance.
The combination of an emerging star, a defending three-time winner and several established Group 1 middle-distance horses makes the 2026 Makybe Diva Stakes one of the strongest early spring weight-for-age clashes.
Makybe Diva Stakes 2026 - Barriers & Final Field
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr Brightside (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Blake Shinn | 2 | 59kg |
| 2 | Half Yours | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Jamie Melham | 12 | 59kg |
| 3 | Light Infantry Man (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 1 | 59kg |
| 4 | Sir Delius (GB) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Craig Williams | 9 | 59kg |
| 5 | Buckaroo (GB) | Chris Waller | TBA | 3 | 59kg |
| 6 | Birdman (IRE) | Chris Waller | TBA | 4 | 59kg |
| 7 | Another Wil | Ciaron Maher | John Allen | 11 | 59kg |
| 8 | Autumn Boy | Chris Waller | TBA | 5 | 58.5kg |
| 9 | Aeliana (NZ) | Chris Waller | TBA | 13 | 57kg |
| 10 | Treasurethe Moment | Matt Laurie | Damian Lane | 10 | 57kg |
| 11 | She’s A Hustler (NZ) | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 6 | 57kg |
| 12 | Sheza Alibi | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 7 | 56.5kg |
| 13 | Ohope Wins (NZ) | Chris Waller | TBA | 8 | 56.5kg |
Makybe Diva Stakes History
First run in 1948 as the Craiglee Stakes, the Makybe Diva Stakes has become one of Flemington’s most established early-spring weight-for-age features.
The race was originally contested over 2000m before being shortened to 1600m in 1965, while the current name was adopted in 2007 to honour three-time Melbourne Cup champion Makybe Diva.
Elevated to Group 1 status in 2013, the race has regularly attracted leading middle-distance performers beginning their spring campaigns over the Flemington mile.
Its honour roll includes several outstanding gallopers, including Light Fingers, Dulcify, Mahogany, Northerly and Weekend Hussler, underlining the quality traditionally associated with the event.
Mr Brightside has dominated the recent history of the race, completing a remarkable hat-trick of victories in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
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