Flemington, the mecca for racing in this country, plays host to the third running of the Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m (formerly Craiglee Stakes), named in honour of the three-time Melbourne Cup winning mare. In Sydney, the Chelmsford Stakes meeting will be run on the much criticised Randwick course proper after recommendations were made that at least half the programme be transferred to the inner Kensington track fell on deaf ears.

The Makybe Diva Stakes is a magnificent prelude to the forthcoming Cups and Cox Plate and tomorrow’s edition could well provide the 150th Melbourne Cup winner.

Last year’s winner of this race, VIGOR ($6), looks set to go back-to-back after a very nice return in the Liston Stakes. The horse has an affinity with the Flemington surface and the mile is his optimal distance, he looks a very good bet at each way odds.

Last year’s Cup winner SHOCKING ($21) returned in with a slashing run at Caulfield and incredibly is unbeaten at this track. At a big price, he is very capable of upseting the apple cart. In an open race there are a host of horses worth considering for quaddies and multiples; SPEED GIFTED (unbeaten first up at Flemington), DANLEIGH (Sydneysider who is likely to start favourite) and emergency’s GHOSTMILK and FANJURRA are both big chances if they get a run.

The Danehill Stakes sees a crack field of 3YO sprinters go around which also includes my Best Bet of the Day. STAR WITNESS ($4) chased home subsequent Golden Rose winner Toorak Toff and was far from disgraced in doing so at his most recent Caulfield outing. This son of Starcraft gets everything to suit tomorrow with BUFFERING ($7) likely to set a very strong tempo through the first 400m.

The 1400m Let’s Elope Stakes looks harder to predict than last night's Powerball numbers, as can be common in mare's races. IRISH LIGHTS ($10) made tremendous late ground after being slowly away in the Cockram Stakes at Caulfield and provided there is a strong enough tempo here could finish over the top of them. RESPONSE ($6) got onto the worst part of the track in the same race and her effort to hold onto second was full of merit; she will benefit from a lovely run in transit tomorrow.

Sydney boom horse LOVE CONQUERS ALL ($2.40) has made the trip down the Hume to tackle a talented line-up of sprinters in the Bobby Lewis Handicap. Trainer John Hawkes must’ve been doing his “Rain Dance” and it seems his prayers will be answered tomorrow with the likelihood of a wet surface. LOVE CONQUERS ALL is an absolute duck, and whilst the formguide shows his one run down the Flemington straight to be a failure, he was completely luckless that day. DOUBTFUL JACK ($3.40) was the star of the winter - embarrassing his rivals in his most recent 6.5-length romp in the Winter Championship and should prove a wary opponent for the favourite.

Other highlights on a wonderful day's racing include the return of the Lloyd Williams owned LINTON ($2.70), who, at his fourth start, was unlucky not to get closer to Rock Classic in the Cadbury Guineas.

Also, the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes for 3YOs sees a talented lineup of Caulfield Guineas (and one 1000 Guineas) aspirants set to do battle, at $5 CENSOR looks a nice each-way bet.

MY BEST BETS – Two best bets for punters this week. STAR WITNESS ($4) showed he had lost none of his 2YO form when he returned in great style at Caulfield. He is a winner down the straight and will be powering to the line. The 1400m Sofitel could well break the land speed record such is the pace in the race and this will suit LINTON ($2.70) down to the ground. He should get a cosy run in the middle of the pack and be able to unleash his devastating sprint over the last 400M.

NEXT BEST – VIGOR ($6) looks the safest option in a very open Makybe Diva Stakes. He strikes this race on the same pattern as last year when he was successful and by all reports is working the house down.

BEST VALUE – SPONTANEOUS (13) is going to get a picnic in front in the Cancer Council Girls Night In Stakes. This horse is in a rich vein of form and is really well in at the weights tomorrow. Will lead them into the straight and could prove very hard to catch.

QUADDIE:
1st leg – 1 and 3 essentials ahead of 8,4,2,10
2nd leg – Plenty of value: 9,1,4,13,18,5,17
3rd leg – For the bold and brave – LOVE CONQUERS ALL one out. Otherwise, in order; 2,8,5,4,10 and SWICK if track is not too wet
4th leg – Rundle on top, but in order: 16,19,17,3,14

****

The Tatts Club Chelmsford Stakes over 1600M provides a brilliant guide to the major Sydney Spring races and to a large extent is a replay of the Warwick Stakes a fortnight ago.

THESEO ($3.60), trained by Gai Waterhouse, is a bullet proof veteran who will get things to suit out in front tomorrow. By all reports Theseo has been working the house down and should be primed to peak second up after running out of condition in the Warwick Stakes. The Chris Waler pair, METAL BENDER ($2.70) and TRIPLE HONOUR ($4.20) went straight past Theseo first up in running the quinella and appear the main dangers again tomorrow. Expect sharp improvement COUNT ENCOSTA ($13) of Patinack Farm fame.

The Tramway Stakes (1400M) sees the return of Sydney Cup winner, JESSICABEEL ($41), who will use this race as a stepping stone to the major Melbourne Cups races later in the Spring. She won’t be a factor tomorrow, but DRUMBEATS ($11) is a major chance to return in winning style after a Doncaster preparation in the autumn. There should be plenty of speed in this race allowing Tye Angland to get the son of Redoute’s Choice over from his wide barrier and into a midfield trailing position. NEESON ($5) will jump to the front an run them along at a solid tempo and should give a good sight for a long way, while STRYKER ($5) looks to benefit from the run of the race behind the speed and should be in the finish given clear galloping room over the final furlong.

On a very strong programme, PARABLES ($2.50) from the Snowden camp look one of the better bets in the Furious Stakes (1400M) for 3YO fillies. A veteran of only four career starts, she was very impressive in winning the Silvershadow Stakes, in the process beat major rival tomorrow in MORE STRAWBERRIES ($3).

MY BEST BET: The old boy THESEO ($3.60) strikes the perfect race tomorrow. Unlike a fortnight ago in the Warwick Stakes, jockey Nash Rawiller should be able to do as he pleases at the head of proceedings and that is when Theseo produces his best.

NEXT BEST : TROMSO ($3.40) was the punters' kryptonite when resuming. The talented Chris Waller gelding was sent out $1.75 and much to the dismay of backers he failed by a short half head. He gets his chance to atone tomorrow in a race that looks to have good pace headed by BAY WINDOW.

BEST VALUE: DRUMBEATS ($11) has struck a pretty suitable race first up and, provided he gets a little luck from the awkward draw, can definitely figure prominently in the finish. He represent great each-way value in a very open race.