Search

show me:

Harlem and So Si Bon to tackle Makybe Diva Stakes

3 minute read

Lindsay Park will saddle two runners in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

HARLEM.
HARLEM. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Lindsay Park is likely to saddle two runners in the $750,000 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday, a race that marks the return of Cox Plate equal favourite Russian Camelot

Harlem and So Si Bon are two of the 20 nominations for Saturday's race where other entries include Dalasan, Fierce Impact, last year's winner Gatting, Melbourne Cup victor Vow And Declare and Victoria Derby winner Warning

Tom Dabernig, who with Ben Hayes trains Harlem and So Si Bon, is looking forward to pitting the stablemates against the likes of Russian Camelot and co to ascertain the future spring direction of the pair. 

Both Harlem and So Si Bon contested the opening Group 1 race of the spring, the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29 with So Si Bon finishing fifth while Harlem closed off well to finish seventh behind Behemoth

"He seems great," Dabernig said of Harlem. 

"He ran a cheeky race in the Memsie and has come out of it well so it will be interesting to see how he goes second-up over the extra distance. 

"We're trying to get him to the Turnbull Stakes, third-up over 2000 metres at Flemington (on October 3) but it's hard to know whether he will be up to that sort of class. 

"But he likes Flemington and he likes that trip and it's the same sort of formula that we try and do when we go to the Australian Cup." 

Harlem won the 2018 and 2019 Australian Cups over 2000m at Flemington and earlier this year finished fourth behind stablemate Fifty Stars in the Group 1 contest. 

So Si Bon will be lining up for the third run of his campaign having finished fourth in the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) early last month before his fifth placed finish in the Memsie. 

He was not far from third-placed Glenfiddich and beat home Streets Of Avalon who backed up with a solid fifth behind Humidor in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley last Saturday. 

"He wasn't beaten all that for third the other day," Dabernig said. 

"He'll probably line up and he's usually pretty consistent when he strikes his form." 

Russian Camelot has opened the $3 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds ahead of Fierce Impact ($7) with Dalasan, Kings Will Dream, Master Of Wine and Perfect Jewel on the next line at $8. 

Harlem and So Si Bon are both listed $26 chances ahead of the final field and barrier draw on Wednesday.


Racing and Sports

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au