It was billed as one of the clashes of the spring but it quickly turned into a farce.
A small but select field of Australia’s best WFA horses.
Six top jockeys in the saddle – some of the best in the world.
It was always going to be tactical. No natural leader meant everyone knew tempo would be key.
No one expected the Makybe Diva to become a $750,000 Group 1 barrier trial for horses heading to bigger targets.
It was like a pre-season AFL game. Scoreboard didn’t matter – it was all about preservation and fine-tuning.
Mr Brightside and Craig Williams controlled it from the jump. They crawled through the first 1000m in a staggering 66.09 secs.
So slow that Mark Twain lobbed up outside the leader like it was trackwork, while Tom Kitten pulled his head off stuck on the rail.
MR BRIGHTSIDE 👑
Three Makybe Diva Stakes wins in a row for the Champion! One of the modern greats of the turf 💖😍 pic.twitter.com/SY8C9RE18q
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 13, 2025
Every horse in that race is used to going much quicker early. On their average early splits, any one of them would’ve led comfortably, but on Saturday, position in running was the only priority – speed was irrelevant.
Mr Brightside turned for home with a full tank, sprinting his last 400m in 21.91 secs. The rest were dead in the water before they even straightened.
Where was the mid-race move from Antino? Shinn usually slides Antino into races early and catches rivals napping – this was the perfect time.
Why did J-Mac hand up the spot outside Mr Brightside – and any winning hope – in the first furlong?
At least the stewards asked questions of both Shinn and J-Mac, and were satisfied with their responses. Those curious can check the report.
Damian Lane tried everything on Aeliana, whipping ten times before the 100m and copping a two-week holiday for his trouble, but she was never winning – the race was over before he even drew the stick.
I get it. These horses are building towards bigger prizes, but this was still a Group 1. When the gates crash back, punters expect a race, not a trial.
Any argument that “bigger goals” justify Saturday undermines the very status of the Makybe Diva. Plenty have argued that lead-ups shouldn’t hold Group 1 status – Saturday only adds fuel to that fire.
On one of spring’s marquee days, punters got a track gallop. Whether such a soft run brings these horses on for the gruelling 2000m contests ahead is anyone’s guess. They have some of the best trainers in the land – so I’m sure they will be fine – but they effectively missed half a race.
As a form reference the race is borderline useless, and that dents punter confidence at a time when racing can’t afford to turn them off. Socials were filled with lament, not praise.
None of this diminishes Mr Brightside. He was a superstar before Saturday and he only strengthened his standing. He can only beat what’s in front of him – and he did it with ease.
It also not to suggest he would’ve lost had there been more pressure – there’s every chance he still comes out on top – but punters deserved a race, not a trial.
