Tips from the Big Bookies: Makybe Diva / 7 Stakes day

The bagmen are back for another big Saturday of racing and have provided their thoughts on Saturday's major races.

They have given a tip for the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington along with the 7 Stakes and The Shorts at Randwick.

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Matthew Campbell – BetR

MAKYBE DIVA – ALLIGATOR BLOOD – Race 7 No.2 (Flemington)Mr Brightside probably wins again, but from a betting perspective I'll take double the odds with Alligator Blood. Wasn't far away in the Memsie, but it's his second-up record that entices me.

7 STAKES – FANGIRL – Race 7 No.9 (Randwick)She resumed in style winning the Group 1 Winx Stakes and that form has held up in The Memsie with Princess Grace. That was on a soft track and now she gets on to a dry track, she will excel.

THE SHORTS – IN SECRET – Race 8 No.5 (Randwick)Just missed in the Concorde Stakes over the unsuitable 1000m first-up so sticking with her as always. She is unbeaten at the 1100m and drops 2.5kg off her first-up run.

BEST – KIMOCHI – Race 6 No.3 (Randwick)She is yet to miss the placings in her five runs and after hitting the line hard in her first two runs this preparation, she is ready for win number two. Both of those runs have been at 1200m and now gets to 1400m.

VALUE – HOLYMANZ– Race 4 No.4 (Randwick)Did his best work late first-up at Caulfield in a race that didn't suit. That was over 1200m and it was obvious more ground like the 1400m would suit. Last prep ran a close second in a Group 3 over 1400m.

Tim Ryan – TAB

MAKYBE DIVA – ALLIGATOR BLOOD – Race 7 No.2 (Flemington)He was solid first-up when sitting outside the lead. I'm confident he can turn the tables over the Flemington mile, in a race he can control. Starts shorter and he'll be hard to run down.

7 STAKES – ZAAKI – Race 7 No.2 (Randwick)Had to work outside the lead, into a headwind first-up. He had only one soft trial leading into that, so he should improve enormously. Leads solo on Saturday and should be favourite.

THE SHORTS – OVERPASS – Race 8 No.4 (Randwick)I have no doubt he runs his best races first-up and his trials suggest he is ready to fire fresh again. From barrier one, in a race with surprisingly little pace, he should get all favours.

BEST – KIBOU – Race 10 No.6 (Randwick)I'm a real fan of this Maurice gelding and am really hoping we get to see more of him this preparation. His trials suggest he is ready to go and from gate two he will have no excuses.

VALUE – MAYROSE – Race 4 No.13 (Randwick)He was a tough watch resuming last week. That run wouldn't have taken much out of her and the seven day back up will do her no harm. From gate one she can settle closer.

Sam Phillips – Sportsbet

MAKYBE DIVA – PRINCESS GRACE – Race 7 No.7 (Flemington)Mr Brightside is top pick but it's hard to get him much shorter than $3. This mare still may have some upside in her, keeps Blake Shinn and looks the best chance to run over the top of the rightful favourite.

7 STAKES – PERICLES – Race 7 No.8 (Randwick)The data says there has been little between the last two runs of this gelding and Fangirl through their last two starts. Maps well. There is a query on whether he will run a strong mile but he's a good price.

THE SHORTS – OVERPASS – Race 8 No.4 (Randwick)A fascinating race, given they are all eyeing off slots for The Everest slots. For that reason, Overpass has to fire here first-up and I think he will. He always goes well fresh and gets the right jockey.

BEST – LEGACIES – Race 5 No.15 (Flemington)Legacies has a clear ratings edge over the opposition here. Back to the1400m – a trip she won over last prep. Should be too good for these.

VALUE – FOXY FRIDA – Race 8 No.5 (Flemington)Amelia's Jewel is simply too short here, she will drift, and there are a few that will firm. This mare seems the best chance to do so of the chasing pack.

Josh Bell – Ladbrokes

MAKYBE DIVA – PRINCESS GRACE – Race 7 No.7 (Flemington)She struggled to get away from the fence in the Memsie, but once she did, boy did she let down well. Back-to-back seconds to begin her prep and she should relish the step up to the mile now.

7 STAKES – ZAAKI – Race 7 No.2 (Randwick)Looked the winner at one point first-up in the Winx Stakes, but in the end, I think he was in need of the run. Loves the mile, back on top of the ground, he should run his usual honest race up on the speed. 

THE SHORTS – LOST AND RUNNING – Race 8 No.3 (Randwick)Can match some of the country's best sprinters when he's on. Granted, he didn't do much during the autumn, but I think the wet tracks were against him on both occasions. Flies fresh.

BEST – AMELIA'S JEWEL – Race 8 No.1 (Flemington)First-up specialist that has looked in superb order at the trials ahead of her Victorian debut. The gate and 1400m first-up are slight queries, but she looks a class above most of these.

VALUE – APPIN GIRL – Race 6 No.5 (Flemington)This Queensland mare really put the writing on the wall winning well on debut, before going on to take out a Stakes race at Eagle Farm three weeks later. Armed with late speed.

Cameron McKinnon – Pointsbet

MAKYBE DIVA – MR BRIGHTSIDE – Race 7 No.1 (Flemington)Hard to tip against. Sat three wide last start and still proved too strong. Now up to his pet distance at 1600m and tipping he will be too strong for these.

7 STAKES – ZAAKI – Race 7 No.2 (Randwick)Annabel Neasham will have the old boy Zaaki primed for this with 28 days off. Ticks a lot of boxes and drawn well to its rivals. Will be right in this.

THE SHORTS – REMARQUE – Race 8 No.7 (Randwick)This speedy galloper was well backed last start and was caught three wide. Barrier two this time will have all favours. Expect horse to step to new level this start.

BEST – ANTINO – Race 3 No.2 (Flemington)This Queenslander rated through the roof last star and he's building a super record. Even if it steps back will be too good for these. And proven to carry the weight.

VALUE – STEEL CITY – Race 6 No.2 (Flemington)Forget the last start in the Golden Slipper when she was trapped three wide. Has a base to kick off and at this price, Steel City is worth a shot at good odds.

Chris Gregory – PlayUp

MAKYBE DIVA – MR BRIGHTSIDE – Race 7 No.1 (Flemington)Will go for three on the bounce. He has simply gone to a new level this preparation and it is hard to see anything turning the tables on him this week.

7 STAKES – FANGIRL – Race 7 No.9 (Randwick)Is a deserved favourite as she gets so many things in her favor on this week. Gets to 1600m, a dry surface, speed up front and an older bunch of rivals to contend with.

THE SHORTS – IN SECRET – Race 8 No.5 (Randwick)Lost no admirers last start with a gritty performance where in hindsight she was probably a little unsuited. Much better race profile this time and she can defenitley go one better this week.

BEST – ANTINO – Race 3 No.2 (Flemington)Lines up in Melbourne for the first time and from what we've seen so far looks very hard to beat. Has a blistering turn of foot and doesn't know how to run a bad race. He looks well placed to win again first-up.

VALUE – SHOW ME MERCY – Race 7 No.3 (Eagle Farm)Won on debut in convincing fashion when running good sectionals on the day. Looks to get a good run in transit with some early speed up front and if he repeats that he can handle this field.

Tish Merlehan – TopSport

MAKYBE DIVA – ALLIGATOR BLOOD – Race 7 No.2 (Flemington)Looking to turn the tables on his rivals and gets out to the perfect distance and favourite track in this one. Should give Damien Oliver another Group 1 before retirement.

7 STAKES – THINK IT OVER – Race 7 No.1 (Randwick)Has come back in stellar form after a long lay off. Expecting him to be at peak fitness now and will relish getting back to a dry track. Will be coming home strong over the top of them.

THE SHORTS – OVERPASS – Race 8 No.4 (Randwick)The Quokka winner is first-up on Saturday after a few impressive lead up trials. Should be able to dictate the pace from the front and will take a lot of catching.

BEST – SHOW ME MERCY – Race 7 No.3 (Eagle Farm)Undefeated in two starts and gets its chance on the big stage today. Looks a progressive gelding and will be the clear favourite come jump time on Saturday.

VALUE – SEE YOU IN HEAVEN – Race 8 No.2 (Flemington)Arguably the best horse coming out of South Australia at the moment and has relished the big Flemington track in the past. Great each-way chance at odds in this one.

Clint Wallis – Neds

MAKYBE DIVA – ALLIGATOR BLOOD – Race 7 No.2 (Flemington)Finished fourth behind Mr Brightside when resuming in the Memsie where his fitness may have just told a little late. Strong second-up record and absolutely loves Flemington.

7 STAKES – PERICLES – Race 7 No.8 (Randwick)Just snuck home first-up in the Spring Preview before a comfortable win in the Tramway where had the race under his control from start to finish. Should get every chance out in front again

THE SHORTS – IN SECRET – Race 8 No.5 (Randwick)Gave it everything in the Concorde but 1000m proved to be just short of her best. Unbeaten from two goes at 1100m so the extra distance will certainly be in her favour this week.

BEST – LEGACIES – Race 5 No.15 (Flemington)Returned in the McNeil and ran well while looking to have every chance behind Veight. Suspect 1400m will suit her better given she is already a Listed winner at the trip.

VALUE – KING OF SPARTA – Race 9 No.1 (Flemington)Has been competitive at Group 1 level on multiple occasions especially last preparation when he was only a length off the winner in the Oakleigh Plate and close in the Moir Stakes as well.

Zach Littman – BetNation

MAKYBE DIVA – MR BRIGHTSIDE – Race 7 No.1 (Flemington)Best horse in the race, and the return to Flemington only adds more confidence as he'll have all the time in the world down the straight. Will be able to sit one off or behind Alligator Blood.

7 STAKES – MY OBERON – Race 7 No.4 (Randwick)

He was only getting warm going through the line. The step out to 1600m will be a huge benefit and from barrier three, Regan Bayliss will have the run of the race.

THE SHORTS – OVERPASS – Race 8 No.4 (Randwick)Gets barrier one this week, was caught wide and had no luck down the straight and was only beaten three-quarters of a length last start. The extra 100m will be perfect for Encap, and should win this.

BEST – ANTINO – Race 3 No.2 (Flemington)Has excellent form in Queensland and I trust that the Tony Gollan team wouldn't be bringing it down if they didn't think he was a star. Barrier one, should get an easy lead in front and be hard to run down.

VALUE – MAYROSE – Race 4 No.13 (Randwick)First-up over 1200m had no daylight and still attacked the line well over the last 100m. Gets 1400m in this race will be right in the finish with the 55kg.

James Thomas – Palmerbet

MAKYBE DIVA – MR BRIGHTSIDE – Race 7 No.1 (Flemington)Winning form is good form and this bloke has won the All-Star mile, a Doncaster, P.B Lawrence Stakes and a the Memsie in his last four starts. It's an incredible run and I think he will improve even further.

7 STAKES – FANGIRL – Race 7 No.9 (Randwick)Impressive win first-up in the Winx Stakes and she should improve second-up out to 1600m. Her 1600m record doesn't look stellar on paper but there is no Anamoe here.

THE SHORTS – IN SECRET – Race 8 No.5 (Randwick)Excellent return first-up in the Concorde behind Remarque over 1000m and I don't think she was fully wound up there. Two from two over 1100m and never missed a place second-up.

BEST – KIMOCHI – Race 6 No.3 (Randwick)She has been excellent in two starts back from a spell and she looks much better suited out to 1400m here. Looks to have drawn better in barrier five and I think she will enjoy the drying track.

VALUE – HOLYMANZ – Race 4 No.4 (Randwick)Run was better than it looked on paper first-up. He has won a trial since in preparation for this and steps up to 1400m where he has never missed the quinella in three starts.

Matt Steed – Bet365

MAKYBE DIVA – PRINCESS GRACE – Race 7 No.7 (Flemington)American imported mare that has impressed in all her Australian runs. Just touched off by Fangirl and Mr Brightside in her two runs back, the step up to 1600m looks ideal and think she looks the value in the race.

7 STAKES – PERICLES – Race 7 No.8 (Randwick)Has always looked like he would get to this level and now he is starting to deliver. Has had the extra run under his belt as opposed to the two Will put himself right in the race.

THE SHORTS – BUENOS NOCHES – Race 8 No.6 (Randwick)Proved he wasn't just a straight horse when winning the Show County first-up. Looks to have come back in great order and this is harder but the tick over trial since that first-up win has him primed to go here.

BEST – STAR PATROL – Race 9 No.5 (Flemington)Sharp horse when right and has trialled like Black Caviar leading into this. Some very astute judges think he could be an Everest smokey an  it looks all systems go.

VALUE – PROTAGONIST – Race 5 No.7 (Randwick)Should strip fitter for his narrow defeat in the Rowley Mile first-up. Has had a tick over trial since that run and is worth noting that he gets back on his preferred dry track here.