All Hart For Makybe Diva

Set to run an hour after Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire})'s 'expected' 20th consecutive race victory, the field for the G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington sees a quality line up of Group 1 performers with Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) to start race favourite, aiming for his third Group 1 victory.

Dominant first-up in the G2 Lawrence S. over an unsuitable 1400m, the warhorse Hartnell could give James Cummings his first elite level success in the Godolphin blue, but standing in his way will be Darren Weir's team of Black Heart Bart (Aus) (Blackfriars {Aus}), Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) and last start listed winner Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}).

Already the winner of five Group 1 victories, surprisingly none at the track or distance, Black Heart Bart is racing as if he is ready for the 1600m now after two 1400m runs, while stablemate Humidor has produced two very good efforts in the same races as Black Heart Bart. Last season's G1 Australian Cup winner will appreciate the trip and even further as he progresses into his campaign.

While the least fancied of the trio, Gailo Chop is arguably the most intriguing. A winner of the G1 Mackinnon S. (2000m) in October 2015 at Flemington when trained by Antoine de Watrigant, the international traveller headed to France, then Dubai, before re-locating to Australia and the Weir stable. With some outstanding international form including second to champion Solow (GB) in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan, Gailo Chop looks a likely candidate for a forward showing come Saturday.

With three wins and six seconds from his last 12 runs, Le Romain (Aus) (Hard Spun {USA}) is nothing but consistent. Holding his ground last start over 1400m when fifth to Vega Magic (Aus) in the G1 Memsie S., Le Romain is a dual Group 1 winner, both over the distance of Saturday's race, and now third up he should be ready to play his part in the finish.

Group 1 winners during their 3-year-old seasons, both Hey Doc (Aus) (Duporth ({Aus}) and Inference (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}) come into the A$750,000 contest off pleasing efforts. Third-up last campaign, like he will be on Saturday, the Tony McEvoy-trained Hey Doc triumphed in the G1 Australian Guineas over the Flemington mile, while interestingly, second-up last time in (like he will be on Saturday), Inference claimed the G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m).