The time to shine

While the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (wfa, 1600m) at Flemington has been a graveyard for winners in recent years, the race is, according to one Hall of Fame trainer, the first important contest of the spring.

Lee Freedman has always contended that it is imperative for his spring contenders to start to show form at the Makybe Diva Stakes (nee Craiglee Stakes) meeting.

“I don’t take a lot of notice of what goes on in August, few of the horses are fit, but I like to see my horses showing some form at the (Craiglee Stakes) meeting, especially the Cup horses in the weight-for-age race,” he has proclaimed.

In the past 24 years, thanks to some research by Racing And Sports, only four winners of the Makybe Diva have won another race during the spring – they are: Weekend Hussler (2008), Northerly (2002), Sky Heights (1999) and Marble Halls (1997).

Last year Vigor beat Typhoon Tracy and Master O’Reilly (C’Est La Guerre 4^th and Heart Of Dreams 5^th) on a good3 track. This year Vigor will be in the race again, but this time the track surface – with a deluge predicted overnight and tomorrow – is likely to be heavy. It’s worth noting that Vigor, who ran well first up – fourth behind Shoot Out – in the Group 2 Liston Stakes (wfa, 1400m, Caulfield), is a winner at his only start on heavy ground.

The proven wet trackers in this field are: Danleigh, C’Est La Guerre, Rebel Raider, Alandi, Vigor, Speed Gifted, Monaco Consul and Ghostmilk.

Danleigh is yet to win at 1600m or further, but he hasn’t raced badly in his five tries – he also is a winner at weight-for-age over 1500m in this year’s Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill, when he charged late from 10^th on the turn. Before that he rattled home late from 18^th on the turn to finish fifth behind Rangirangdoo in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Randwick – I doubt the extra 100 metres will be an issue.

Danleigh and the Mick Price-trained Heart Of Dreams are the two “class sprinters” in this race, capable of winning at Group 1 level at distances shorter than the 1600m. That brilliance makes them tough to beat in a race full of stayers on a Cup campaign.

Heart Of Dreams won the Group 1 Australian Guineas over this track and trip in the 2009 autumn, and he was good finishing third behind Shoot Out and Predatory Pricer in the Liston, when he looked as soft as butter in the parade.

Trainer Lee Freedman is predicting Speed Gifted will run well after a disappointing autumn campaign. The gelding will wear blinkers for the first time, indicating that Freedman thinks the horse is ready for a forward first-up run. Speed Gifted won the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) on a bog track at Randwick last spring, but a back complaint has hindered him since, although he ran third behind Theseo and Rangirangdoo in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (wfa, 2000m, Rosehill) in the autumn.

Melbourne Cup equal top weight Alandi resumes for owner Lloyd Williams and trainer Robert Hickmott. The former Aga Khan-owned entire has a fine record of four runs on slow/heavy for four wins, but he usually doesn’t get warm until he gets beyond 2400 metres.

Reigning Melbourne Cup champ Shocking (pictured) will go around on an unsuitable surface, but on his favourite course where he is not only trained but also unbeaten in three starts.

The tips: Danleigh 1; Heart Of Dreams 2; Vigor 3; Speed Gifted 4; Rebel Raider 5.