Australia: Mr Brightside can’t be caught in Makybe Diva

The 8-year-old gelding Mr Brightside proved impossible to catch in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at a mile at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, beating a field that included Via Sistina, Australia’s reigning Horse of the Year.

The victory was the 10th in a Group 1 for Mr Brightside, and the third consecutive year he has won the $495,000 Makybe Diva Stakes. He also won the $3.32 million All-Star Mile in 2023, a race that gained Grade 1 status earlier this year.

In the Makybe Diva Stakes, Mr Brightside, who paid $8.80 in American pools, was allowed to set a modest pace and kicked clear through the final furlong to win by 1 1/2 lengths over 6-1 Aeliana. Via Sistina, the 3-5 favorite, finished third by slightly less than two lengths after racing in fourth early.

The loss by Via Sistina ended a four-race winning streak, all in Group 1 races, since a third in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in February.

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In the 2024-2025 Australian season, which ended on July 31, Via Sistina won 7 of 9 starts, with all the wins in Group 1 races. She was fifth in the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes last September.

Mr Brightside, an 8-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding by the Elusive Quality stallion Bullbars, has won 20 of 46 starts. The Makybe Diva Stakes ended a three-race losing streak since the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne in February.

Trained by Ben, Will and J.D. Hayes, Mr Brightside is expected to start in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at a mile at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne on Sept. 26.

Trainer Chris Waller told the Australian press that Via Sistina would like return to Flemington for the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on Oct. 4. Her main goal for the Australian spring is the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Oct. 25.

Via Sistina won both the Turnbull Stakes and Cox Plate in 2024.

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