Best bets for Makybe Diva Stakes day at Flemington.
Just six for the Makybe Diva this year but five are genuine winning chances and it looks a fascinating affair.
Mr Brightside aims to become just the fifth horse in history to win the same Group One at Flemington three times and looks to get the lead all to himself.
The tactics on Antino will be interesting to see if Shinn tries to take off early and catch Mr Brightside and Via Sistina flat footed and possibly in traffic.
No doubt Via deserves favouritism but odds-on looks passable and while Antino is a bit interesting at the 7/1 quote, we'll pass on the feature for our best bets and instead look to Race 9 – the Let's Elope Stakes.
Lazzura comes down from Sydney off an impressive first up win in the Show County at Randwick, settling last but showing a sharp turn of foot to win running away.
She's run to a RAS rating of 116 there which is a new career peak, her previous best coming in at 113 when winning the Phar Lap Stakes, done so in very slow time but once again showing the best turn of foot.
A faster speed here will be no issue having performed strongly in all scenarios and the rise to 1400m from a good draw with J-Mac coming down just suits ideally.
She's got eight pounds up her sleeve from market danger On Display who won in fast time first up at Caulfield with a nice profile however barrier one against far better opposition leaves Lazzura clearly on top and a bet at $2.80.
The other main bet on the card comes up in the Poseidon Stakes (Race 2) where unbeaten colt Legacy Bound resumes.
He's won by big margins in both starts to date, belting his opposition at Group 3 level in Adelaide before a spell in fast time, running to a RAS rating of 110, just one pound shy of subsequent Poseidon winner Growing Empire in the same race the year prior.
While he's got a bit to make up on Tycoon Star who ran 114 to win the Mcneil last time out, I'm a bit iffy on that race and think Legacy Bound has every opportunity to rate higher with the opportunity to do so.
The Melbourne Mail
Bet of the day: Race 9 #3 Lazzura at $2.80
Also backing: Race 2 #3 Legacy Bound at $3.80
