Makybe Diva Stakes Tips, Betting, Odds, Horses & More 2025

Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled race day as the highly anticipated Makybe Diva Stakes approaches. As one of Australia's premier Group One races, the Makybe Diva Stakes has garnered a prestigious reputation since its inception in 1948. 

Taking place at the illustrious Flemington Racecourse (undoubtedly one of the top tracks in the country), this event showcases some of the finest equine talents and is one of the first Group 1s of the world-famous Melbourne Spring Carnival. 

The Makybe Diva Stakes serves as a prime starting point for some of Australia's finest racehorses to showcase their talents with the full Melbourne Spring Carnival ahead. Some of the other races to take place at Flemington Racecourse during the Spring Racing Carnival include; the Melbourne Cup and the Victoria Derby.

With a very significant $750K prize pool on offer for contenders, it is a significant race to win in its own right. Although, it is fair to say that for many it is a stepping stone towards greater riches on offer deeper into the carnival.

Here at OnlyRacing.com.au, we have every aspect of the Makybe Diva Stakes. First things first, we’ve got all your hot tips, betting recommendations and latest odds. As well as this, we cover other general areas of the race including; the field, latest results and history. We are always updating this page, so you know you’ll always find the most up-to-date information.

The $750K worth of prize money on offer is pretty tempting, but the winner doesn’t take home the lot. Check out the breakdown of prize money for the Makybe Diva Stakes below:

When it comes to free horse racing tips, sometimes it feels like every man and their dog have thoughts on who’s going to win. With so many tips out there, who can you trust? Well, not to toot our own horn or anything, but the team at OnlyRacing have decades of experience in the industry, including providing tips.

The team lives and breathes horse racing tips, which is why you’ll find a set of tips for every Group 1 race on the calendar, plus Flemington tips as well. At this stage, our 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes tips aren’t available. There’s no need to fret though as our tips will be available just in time for race week, once the final field has been announced.

You are already here though, so why don’t you check out our tips for the race in 2024? You can use the benefit of hindsight to judge how our experts performed. All the details are in this section:

Makybe Diva Stakes Best Bet - Mr Brightside

You wanted a star-studded field, well you got it! There might be just eight runners in the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2024, but pretty much all of them are of the highest quality. So, that makes my job of picking the winner as my best bet that much more difficult. In the end, I have landed on Mr Brightside. 

I tipped him as my best bet for the race last year and he won, so I’m hoping for two-from-two again this year. Gets a good draw, is a multiple Group 1 champion, always puts in a solid performance and Craig Williams sticks with him. Would just need even luck in this one and I think he’ll be winning.

Makybe Diva Stakes Next Best - Pride Of Jenni

Pride Of Jenni is currently on the third line of betting with PlayUp, paying $6.50 and I love the value she represents. She wasn’t at her usual best last time out in the Memsie Stakes, but she’ll be all the better for that run under her belt. A lot of the same runners in that one line up again here and this is arguably a tougher race.

She weakened late in the Memsie Stakes after leading, but it was always a big question mark over her first-up form. She gets out to a mile here and back at a track she loves, Flemington. With all that working in her favour, I’m a little surprised she is $6.50. I reckon if she won (or performed better in the Memsie Stakes), she’d be the favourite.

Makybe Diva Stakes Best Roughie - Atishu

With only eight runners, there are not a lot of contenders for the best roughie in the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes, but I’ve landed on Atishu. She’s a little bit inconsistent and the all-or-nothing type of horse, but with some luck on her side, she can raise a few eyebrows with current odds of $15.

She’s the stablemate to the current favourite, Via Sistina and I like the fact that she’s back at Flemington as she’s only finished worse than third on one occasion out of six races. Her first ever Group 1 win came when she was second-up (as she is now) and over the same distance. A genuine chance I think!

Placing bets on the Makybe Diva Stakes and other Group 1 Australian horse races offers an opportunity to showcase your racing expertise. From straightforward Fixed Win or Place market picks to more complex exotic bets, the possibilities are vast. 

Whether you prefer multis, exotics or want to focus on specific jockeys or popular bets of the day, our guide will equip you with the knowledge needed to make informed betting decisions. As well as this, our bookie reviews page will cover more information about specific bookies.

The Makybe Diva Stakes promises to be an exciting Group 1 race held at Flemington Racecourse. We can offer some guidance on selecting the right bookmaker for your bets on the race. Choosing from one of the many Australian betting sites can be overwhelming, but we aim to make it easier by suggesting a few reliable options. 

Before diving into the recommendations, it's important to study the field of runners for the Makybe Diva Stakes and decide which horses you wish to bet on. One of the key factors to consider when selecting from the range of betting apps is the odds they offer. 

It may require some effort, but visiting horse racing betting sites and comparing the odds they provide for your preferred market can help you determine which bookie offers the best odds. By choosing the bookmaker with the highest odds, you increase your potential return. 

Another aspect to consider is your comfort level with a particular bookmaker. Many Australian punters prefer to bet with bookmakers they are familiar with, whether it's due to the app or website they frequently use. It is entirely reasonable to stick with a bookmaker you feel comfortable placing your bets with. 

Betting promotions also play a significant role in bookmaker selection. Each of the best betting apps in Australia offers a wide range of promotions along with betting sites bonuses to keep their punters happy. Some bookies may have specific promotions for the Makybe Diva Stakes, so it's worth exploring those options as well.

Ultimately, there is no definitive method for choosing a bookmaker for the Makybe Diva Stakes. The tips mentioned above are all valid considerations. However, it is crucial to ensure that you bet with a reliable bookmaker and provide any necessary verification information before placing your bets. 

Remember, the key is to choose a bookmaker that suits your needs and preferences, ensuring an enjoyable and secure betting experience for the Makybe Diva Stakes. Some of the bookies we like for the Makybe Diva Stakes include; PlayUp, Dabble and BetProfessor. Our “Betting Sites” section above has more bookies to look through if you’re interested.

At this time, the 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes field is not yet available. While we aren’t sure which runners will grace us with their presence, if history is anything to go by, we will see a high-quality field with some of the best runners Australia has to offer.

If you can’t wait, you can take a look at the odds for the race as this will show you the runners that are more likely to make an appearance. We will have all the Makybe Diva Stakes odds in our “Odds” section on this page if the odds are available. 

While we wait for the Makybe Diva Stakes field to be confirmed in 2025, you can take a look back and see the type of runners that made an appearance in the race in 2024. All the details can be found in the table:

Again, in 2024 we saw a smaller-than-usual field announced for the Makybe Diva Stakes, with just eight runners confirmed. There weren’t any emergencies listed either, but in the end, that didn’t matter as all eight runners took their place in the starting barriers.

You’ll notice fairly quickly that scratchings are common in horse racing. From mid-week maidens to Saturday Group 1 races, scratchings can occur seemingly out of the blue. If you’ve placed a bet on the race, it’s important to keep an eye out for scratchings. Even if your horse isn’t the one that’s scratched, it can have an impact on the race.

Something else that can have an impact on the race is the barrier draw. The bigger the field, the more influence the barrier draw has. Each track has a different layout and this can have a bigger (or smaller) impact on the starting barrier. Runners have t

When betting on the Makybe Diva Stakes, it’s a good idea to look into the form guide to find any key form indicators and patterns that might help point you in the direction of a winner. With a race like the Makybe Diva Stakes, there is a lot of data to go through and you might not have the time or skills to know what you’re looking for.

This is where the team at OnlyRacing comes in! We’ve done all the hard work for you and found some important form indicators that you should look into before betting on the race. We always recommend better with your head and this means getting all the data and stats possible. Check out what we’ve found below!

Due to the length of the Makybe Diva Stakes, you need a runner who has speed but also stamina. As the race is at the beginning of Spring, there is a mix of form lines to look into and some runners might be tackling the race first up.

When looking at the most traditional and successful lead-up races, the clear stand out is the Memsie Stakes which is run a week before the Makybe Diva Stakes. While we see several horses come through the Memsie Stakes, since 1962, only three horses have successfully completed the double.

Since 2012, we have seen 11 winners jump from one of the more inside barriers. Although, Flemington Racecourse does give backmarkers a good chance of winning, so take this statistic with a grain of salt.

The age of the winners that have had the most success in the Makybe Diva Stakes is 5YOs. We’ve seen 11 5YO winners since 2000. In the last 24 years, we’ve seen 10 winners jump with odds of greater than $7.50, so the Makybe Diva Stakes isn’t necessarily the best race for favourites.

As you would probably expect, we’ve seen A LOT of epic Makybe Diva Stakes horses over the years. It takes a very high-quality horse to go on and win this Group 1. With so many horses to choose from, we’ve had to make some brutal cuts on which horses to feature in this section.

Please don’t get cranky with us if your favourite horse doesn’t make our list, we did our best! We go through some of the best-ever Makybe Diva Stakes horses and talk about what they achieved in their careers. Check out all the horses below:

Light Fingers - 1965

The year 1965 was a big year for Light Fingers. Not only did the mare win the Makybe Diva Stakes, but she also won the Melbourne Cup. She has been inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and even has a Group 2 race named after her, the Light Fingers Stakes. She finished her career with a record of 33:15-8-5.

Ming Dynasty - 1977

Ming Dynasty won several races throughout his career and ended with a record of 76:17-12-9. Some of the biggest races Ming Dynasty won throughout his career included; the Caulfield Cup (twice), the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, The Metropolitan and the Australian Cup (twice).

Mahogany - 1994

Mahogany won the Makybe Diva Stakes in 1994 and was also named the 1993/94 Australian Champion Three Year Old and Australian Horse of the Year. Some of the biggest races he won throughout his career included; the Victoria Derby, the Australian Derby, the Australian Guineas and the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.

Northerly - 2002

The winner of nine Group 1 races, Northerly has been inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. He won over $9 million in prize money throughout his career and ended with a record of 37:19-7-2. Some of the biggest races Northerly won included; the Cox Plate, the Underwood Stakes and the Railway Stakes.

Incentivise - 2021

Incentivise won or placed in almost every race he started in, with a career record of 13:9-1-0. He won almost $6 million in prize money and some of the biggest races he won included; the Tattersall’s Tiara, the Turnbull Stakes and the Caulfield Cup.

The odds you see for each market/ runner will determine how much you’ll win if the bet gets up. You’ll notice that as soon as the Makybe Diva Stakes odds are released, they will be continuously changing. Changes in odds are a way of life and this is why we always recommend getting your bet on as soon as you see a price you like.

All the best horse racing betting apps will open up markets before the race, including our favourite bookie of all time, PlayUp. PlayUp is yet to release its odds for the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2025. We will keep an eye on this though and bring you all the details when the market is live.

As we get closer to race day, more horse racing markets will open up. This means that no matter the bet type you like, you’ll have the ability to place your bets before the race. If you are planning to bet on the race, it is a good idea to do so when the market is listed as “Before Noms”. 

This means you’ll get your stake back if your runner doesn’t make the final field. If you place your bets when the market is listed as “All-In'' you won’t have any such luck. Generally speaking, betting earlier also has the benefit of a higher price for your runner, then compared to betting on the day of the race.

The 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes odds aren’t available just yet, but you can take a look and see what was going on in the market for the race in 2024:

*Odds correct as of 12/09/2024.

In the captivating realm of Australian horse racing, there exists a race that stands tall as a testament to equine greatness and etches its name in the annals of sporting history. The Makybe Diva Stakes, formerly known as the Craiglee Stakes, emerged onto the racing scene in 1948 at Victoria's prestigious Flemington Racecourse. 

It is one of the first races throughout Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival, which is one of the biggest horse racing carnivals on the calendar and features races like the Melbourne Cup, the Cox Plate, the Caulfield Cup and the Victoria Derby. It’s no wonder this is the most wonderful time of the year!

Named after the renowned racehorse Craiglee, the event served as a platform to honour the legacy of equine excellence. In the early 2000s, a transcendent force entered the Australian racing landscape - Makybe Diva. 

This mighty mare, trained by the esteemed Lee Freedman and ridden by the talented jockey Glen Boss, embarked on a journey that would forever change the course of the Makybe Diva Stakes. With her remarkable triumphs in the Melbourne Cup from 2003 to 2005, securing an unprecedented three consecutive victories, Makybe Diva captured the nation's imagination and became an icon of Australian racing.

In 2007, the race was significantly transformed and changed to become the race we know it today - the Makybe Diva Stakes. The race was named in honour of Makybe Diva, who left such a massive mark on the horse racing industry. Known to many as a once-in-a-generation horse.

Set at weight-for-age conditions over a distance of 1,600 metres, it attracts a stellar field of elite thoroughbreds vying for glory and the chance to inscribe their names alongside racing legends. The allure of the Makybe Diva Stakes lies not only in its rich history but also in the opportunity it provides to witness the next generation of champions emerging onto the grand stage.

Throughout its illustrious history, the Makybe Diva Stakes has produced numerous moments of triumph and drama that have enthralled racing enthusiasts. From the stunning victories of equine luminaries such as Weekend Hussler, All Too Hard and Black Heart Bart to the breathtaking duels and upsets that have unfolded on the Flemington turf, each edition of the race has contributed its own chapter to the captivating narrative.

The Makybe Diva Stakes is certainly known as a massive celebration of history and it is a much-loved race on the calendar. It is only one race on a massive Australian calendar. So, if you’d like to learn more about some of the other races, check out our Group One races list.

Who won the 2025 Makybe Diva Stakes? Well, we don’t know this yet because the race hasn’t been run and won! But, we will bring you all the epic details after the race takes place. We have a table with the finishing order of every runner plus a race replay.

In 2024, we saw the battle between Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni that we had all been waiting for. In the end, it was Mr Brightside who proved too good, beating Pride Of Jenni by 0.5L. The pre-race favourite, Via Sistina, produced a head-scratcher of a race, finishing down in fifth.

Filling in the final minor placing was Antino, who was 4.7L off the leader, showing everyone just how dominant Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni were in the race. The 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes was run in a time of 1:38.98 and there was a total of 21.5L that split the first and last runners across the finishing post.

Take a squiz at the finishing order of the entire Makybe Diva Stakes field:

We know you want to see what went down in the Makybe Diva Stakes! So, check out the race replay:

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! We’ve listed all the recent winners of the Makybe Diva in this section. See which horses have won the Maybe Diva Stakes in recent years:

This page is as comprehensive as they come, but if you’ve still got some last-minute questions about the Makybe Diva Stakes, then this section is for you. We go through all the most common questions people have about the Makybe Diva Stakes below: