Melbourne Cup favorite Puissance De Lune heads a quality list of 19 nominations in the $350,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), which will be run at Group 1 level for the first time at Flemington on Saturday, reports Racing Victoria. Currently rated the $5 favourite for the race that stops the nation with TAB fixed odds, the Darren Weir-trained six-year-old showed he was back in fine form with an impressive first up victory in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 17.
Should the striking grey entire hope to maintain his unbeaten record this preparation, he could have to defeat a classy line up that includes a potential score of runners from the Macedon Lodge yard headed by high profile import Sea Moon.
A dominant winner over Dunaden and Red Cadeaux in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) during the 2012 Royal Ascot Carnival, the six-year-old, as well as stable mates Masked Marvel and Hartani, could all make their Australian debuts in the recently upgraded feature.
Sydney Cup winner Mourayan and fellow import Massiyn round out the five Robert Hickmott-trained entries in the race.
Other key nominations include the Chris Waller-trained trio of Beaten Up, Hawkspur and Foreteller, multiple Group 1 winner Manighar, Caulfield Cup equal-favourite Jet Away, West Australian raider Mr Moet, 2012 Australian Derby champion Ethiopia and Anthony Freedman’s exciting import Waldpark.
Another highlight on the eight-race program, which features six Stakes races including four at Group level, promises to be the $220,000 Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m).
Heading the list of 21 nominations in the three-year-old feature is Caulfield Guineas equal-second favourite Cauthen, who will be looking to make it back to back victories after capturing the Listed Essendon Mazda McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last start.
Further prominent entries in the race include unbeaten Darley colt Safeguard, J.J. Atkins Stakes winner Romantic Touch, the Peter Moody-trained trio of Kiss A Rose, Il Cavallo and Thermal Current, ATC Sires Produce Stakes runner-up Scandiva and Mick Price’s eight length debut Werribee victor Longma.
Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel is one of 22 nominations in the $220,000 Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) which also includes ATC Australian Oaks victor Royal Descent, VRC Oaks winner Dear Demi, Australian Guineas runner-up You’re So Good as well as in-form mares Octavia and Thy.
Though it may not carry the status of some of the other races on the program, the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) is also shaping as an early Spring standout with 25 entries including Rebel Dane, Temple Of Boom, Fontelina, Setorious, Speediness, Albrecht, Albert The Fat and Pago Rock.
In the other two stakes races on the program Late Charge and Long John could clash with Cauthen in the Listed Henry Bucks Stakes (1400m) should trainer Andrew Campbell opt to head that way instead of the Danehill Stakes, while Group 1 Emirates Stakes runner-up Fawkner heads an exceptional list of 32 nominations in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m).
Click here to view the full list of nominations for Flemington on Saturday