Makybe Diva run a step to bigger games for Jon Snow

Brad Waters - Thursday September 14

A Kiwi galloper claimed last Saturday's Melbourne feature race but Murray Baker isn't expecting a similar result with Australian Derby winner Jon Snow in Saturday's Group I Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

TWO IN A ROW?: Murray Baker (above) and training partner Andrew Forsman want more Melbourne success. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Baker and training partner Andrew Forsman produced Bonneval for an impressive first-up win in the Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley and Jon Snow will step out over the same trip at Flemington.

Jon Snow raced near the speed before finishing three lengths from Vega Magic in a promising first-up performance in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) on September 2 but Baker told the NZ Racing Desk the son of Iffraaj could have finished closer than his sixth placing.

"He would have taken improvement from his run the other day He went very well and if he hadn't been tightened, he might have run fourth," Baker said.

Baker noted Jon Snow takes on a smart field, including Godolphin's outstanding galloper Hartnell, in the Makybe Diva Stakes but the $750,000 event is a key part of the four-year-old's build-up to the big spring cups.

"We're happy with him but it's a very strong field and for him it's another step on his pathway to the Cups," Baker said.

"I wouldn't say he would be winning this, but it is a race that fits in with his programme. You've got to be running them every two weeks to get them fit.

"We'll decide after this race what he does next, but possibly it's the Underwood Stakes over 1800m."

Stephen Baster sticks with Jon Snow in the Makybe Diva Stakes in which the gelding has drawn barrier three.

Sportsbet has Jon Snow an $18 chance in its Maybe Diva Stakes market in which Hartnell is the dominant $1.75 favourite while consistent weight-for-age performer Black Heart Bart is a $6 chance.

Advertisment
More Reading...
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.