There has been plenty of debate post the running of the Makybe Diva Stakes where Mr Brightside picked up his 10th Group 1 [and third Makybe Diva Stakes].
Social media has lit-up about the pace of the race and the tactics employed. Here’s what the beaten jockeys had to say:
Ben Melham (Tom Kitten): “It was a bit of a disaster really, my horse was first up at a mile and I suppose I was in anticipation that Antino at some point might take off and that never happened, he sort of over raced on a slow tempo, I thought he was okay through the line.”
Blake Shinn (Antino): “The horse ran super, sat back, travelled nice, the pace was obviously moderate, he moved into it at the 400, presented to challenge with Via, peaked at the 100, but he’s building nicely.”
Jamie Mott (Mark Twain): “Terrific. He’s obviously going to be on a Cups campaign so second up after a 1200 metre run on a heavy track, against these weight for age horses, I thought he ran fantastic.”
James McDonald (Via Sistina): “Very good run. Sit and sprint, she dashed well.”
Damian Lane (Aeliana): “Super. Just a little bit fresh in the barriers at this stage of her campaign so she leapt out, unfortunately I couldn’t use any tactical versatility at all, I just had to go back to the rail. Travelled up great, just outsprinted by Mr Brightside who obviously had it very easy and sprinted too sharp.
Makybe Diva Stakes | Mr Brightside
MR BRIGHTSIDE, BACK TO BACK TO BACK! One of the all-time great milers wins the Makybe Diva Stakes for the third consecutive year & does it in a procession 💫
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/hSs81THiFf— Racing.com (@Racing) September 13, 2025
