Boban Goes For Sixth Group 1

The rejuvenated Boban (Aus) (Bernardini) earned his fifth Group 1 victory first-up in the G1 Memsie S. at Caulfield two weeks ago, and the 5-year-old gelding goes forward as the favorite to make it six in Saturday’s G1 Makybe Diva S. back in Victoria at Flemington. The bay got up in the dying strides last time, and will be better suited to this step up to a mile, the distance over which he has won three of his Group 1s. Boban will have to contend with his consistent but perhaps unlucky Chris Waller stablemate Weary (Fr) (Astronomer Royal), who seeks a first win at the highest level after finishing a close fourth first-up in the Memsie. Another classy entrant is last year’s G1 Caulfield S. victor Fawkner (Aus) (Reset {Aus}), who makes his first start since finishing 10th in last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup. The grey may find Saturday’s distance short of his liking, but he has won over 1400 meters in his younger days, and he finished a narrow second in this last year to the standout Dissident (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}).