Flemington Race 7 – 16:10 AEST
OPEN Group 1
1600m
$750,000.00
Good 3
Rail true
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight (kg) | Barrier | Current Price |
| 1. Happy Clapper | Patrick Webster | Mark Zahra | 59.0 | 12 | $7.00 |
| 2. Black Heart Bart | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 59.0 | 11 | $20.00 |
| 3. Humidor | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | 59.0 | 1 | $4.00 |
| 4. Tosen Basil | Darren Weir | Jordan Childs | 59.0 | 2 | $34.00 |
| 5. Jon Snow | M Baker & A Forsman | Stephen Baster | 59.0 | 4 | $18.00 |
| 6. Comin’ Through | Chris Waller | Michael Walker | 59.0 | 5 | $11.00 |
| 7. Pounamu | A D Matthews | Brett Prebble | 59.0 | 3 | $34.00 |
| 8. Harlem | D & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Regan Bayliss | 59.0 | 7 | $61.00 |
| 9. The Taj Mahal | Liam Howley | Ben Melham | 59.0 | 9 | $34.00 |
| 10. Kings Will Dream | Darren Weir | John Allen | 59.0 | 10 | $4.40 |
| 11. Kementari | James Cummings | Craig Williams | 58.5 | 8 | $3.70 |
| 12. Grunt | Mick Price | Damien Oliver | 58.5 | 6 | $14.00 |
Race Overview
This looks to be a fantastic edition of the Makybe Diva Stakes, with many of Australia’s top horses lining up here. They’ll be looking to use this as a launch pad into other feature races this Spring such as the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup. Generally strong milers are suited here, including Palentino, Fawkner & Dissident in recent years. Last year’s winner Humidor lines up again and looks a strong chance to go back to back.
Race Speed
Looks to be a genuinely run edition of the Makybe Diva Stakes this year. Overseas import Tosen Basil is having his first run in Australia and should lead from Jon Snow. Also putting some speed into the race from a wider barrier will be The Taj Mahal, who will be looking to get across before some of those on his inside, including Kementari and Grunt. Humidor and Pounamu are likely to find themselves at the rear.
Key Runners
- HAPPY CLAPPER ($7.00)
First up run was okay without being excellent in a race where he was well fancied in the market. The race was run very quickly thanks to Vega Magic, which may not have been ideal first up. No doubt the gelding will take on a lot of improvement second up. Last prep ran Winx to 0.8L second up.
- HUMIDOR ($4.00)
Last year’s winner Humidor scored a huge win at odds in the Memsie Stakes last start when came from near enough to last to storm home and beat a class field – many of which are running here again. Was definitely suited by the fast tempo, and we could see another genuinely run race here. Best over further but can definitely win again here.
- KINGS WILL DREAM ($4.40)
Has returned beautifully this prep, flashing home in each of his starts and finishing with a fourth and third respectively. Before this prep had won 6 from 8 starts and is one of the top hopes for the Caulfield Cup this year. Out to 1600m will suit this horse greatly and will be tough to beat with the right run.
- KEMENTARI ($3.70)
Like the other key runners, also came out of the Memsie Stakes last start despite being wide with no cover throughout the race – showed great fight to be there at the end. There are question marks over what his best distance is and in a genuinely run 1600m he could be vulnerable late here.
Race Selection
- KINGS WILL DREAM ($4.40)
Absolutely loved the way he hit the line in his first starts this prep and despite facing tough competition, I think he’ll be very hard to beat here. The extra distance will be right up his alley and the long Flemington straight will suit his racing pattern.
