This year's Dubai Australian Cup quinella of Manighar and Southern Speed are set to resume their hostilities at Flemington this Saturday with the pair among 19 entries for the $305,000 Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).Seperated by only a nose over 2000 metres in the autumn, the Peter Moody-trained Manighar uses the Makybe Diva Stakes to kick off his spring campaign while Southern Speed heads into the race third up following her impressive last start win in the Listed Penny Edition Stakes (1400
This year's Dubai Australian Cup quinella of Manighar and Southern Speed are set to resume their hostilities at Flemington this Saturday with the pair among 19 entries for the $305,000 Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Seperated by only a nose over 2000 metres in the autumn, the Peter Moody-trained Manighar uses the Makybe Diva Stakes to kick off his spring campaign while Southern Speed heads into the race third up following her impressive last start win in the Listed Penny Edition Stakes (1400m) in Adelaide.
Manighar, who went on to win a further two Group 1 races in Sydney after his Australian Cup triumph, is being primed for the $3 million Sportingbet Cox Plate on 27 October, while Southern Speed has been set for the defence of her $2.5 million BMW Caulfield Cup crown one week prior.
Likely to be a significant guide to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and Cox Plate, the Makybe Diva also marks the return to the track from injury of the Mark Kavanagh-trained December Draw as well as the Ciaron Maher-trained Moudre.
December Draw, a winner of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes last Spring, has not raced since injuring himself when finishing unplaced as favourite in Southern Speed's Caulfield Cup, whilst Moudre has not appeared since finishing down the track 18 months ago in the 2011 Australian Cup.
Interestingly, the Makybe Diva Stakes was won last year by the Nigel Blackiston-trained Littorio who was first-up from a 17-month injury-enforced layoff.
Other key Makybe Diva nominations sure to play a pivotal role in the spring include Efficient, Mawingo, Linton, Midas Touch, Polish Knight, Shenzou Steeds and Zabeelionaire. (www.racingvictoria.net.au)