Group 1 racing returns to Flemington Racecourse in the shape of the Makybe Diva Stakes, the $750,000 showpiece named in honour of the iconic three-time Melbourne Cup champion.

Mr Brightside has already made history by becoming the first horse to win three consecutive editions of the Makybe Diva Stakes.

But could he make it a fantastic fourth on Saturday September 12 (16:05 AEST start)? Let’s find out…

Quick Picks

Our pick: Sheza Alibi to Win

Value bet: Sir Delius to Place

Long shot: Autumn Boy to Win

Betting Preview

Contested over 1,600m, the Makybe Diva Stakes is a showcase of some of the best milers in turf racing right now.

It is an early season scene-setter in which the advantage is with well trained horses that favour spring conditions.

That said, however, the sheer variety in the field up-and-comers against hardy stayers can make it hard to predict the outcome accurately.

That was certainly the case last year with Via Sistina, the odds-on favourite, finishing two lengths behind the veteran Mr Brightside.

Given how mares have struggled in this race, with only one winner in the last three decades, the smart betting perspective may be to swerve the likes of Aeliana here.

While she was a creditable second in last year’s Makybe Diva Stakes, the history books are nevertheless against her.

But the fairer sex will be well represented by Sheza Alibi , the four-year-old that has won two Group 1 renewals on turf – including the prestigious Doncaster Mile, in which she absolutely trounced the field.

After more than four months away, she returned with a more-than-useful second in the Winx Stakes in August, which confirmed that Sheza Alibi has lost none of her speed or power over the summer.

That said, the bookmakers’ favourite does not have a great record in the race, with only five prevailing in the past 15 years, so punters may look elsewhere for value…

Win and Place Betting

If any horse can overcome the curse of the favourites in the Makybe Diva Stakes, it’s surely Sheza Alibi, who boasts both Group 1 pedigree and a solid prep race under her belt.

But Sir Delius will attract plenty of attention … and why not?

A multiple-time Group 1 winner on turf, he has some major success to his name at Flemington having triumphed in the Turnbull Stakes in October last year.

Whether he can emulate last season’s exploits of winning the Underwood Stakes without a prep race remains to be seen, but he will have the trump card of Craig Williams in the saddle.

The jockey chose Sir Delius over Mr Brightside.

Chris Waller has had surprisingly little success in this race recently, but he has a live contender in Autumn Boy .

The Rosehill Guineas winner was only four lengths adrift of Sheza Alibi in the Doncaster Mile, while punters shouldn’t look too much into his forlorn eighth place finish last time out – that came after a lay-off of 147 days.

Our Prediction

You can see the latest Makybe Diva Stakes betting odds at Sportsbet.

Our main prediction is that the incredible Sheza Alibi will continue her ascendance by winning this year’s Makybe Diva Stakes.

There’s a real sense that race fans are watching a generational horse in the making.

With regular handler Williams in the saddle, Sir Delius looks primed to place – if not even challenge for the win.

And if you are looking for an outsider, Autumn Boy has Group 1 pedigree and should enjoy the softer ground which is expected at Flemington come Saturday.

If you are new to racing punting, it is worth brushing up on how to bet on horses before placing your first wager on the Makybe Diva Stakes.