Host Matt Stewart is joined by racing experts Adam McGrath & Chris Roots to talk all things Horse Racing this Spring Carnival, from the hottest talking points to their Best Bets and expert tips for every Feature Race. Tune in every week to get your weekly dose of ‘Bolting In’.
Matty Stewart is back alongside Adam McGrath and Chris Roots as the Spring Carnival heads to Flemington for one of the most important weight-for-age contests of the season, the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. As the first elite-level mile race of the Melbourne spring, Saturday’s feature has assembled a high-quality field of established stars, emerging contenders and proven Group 1 performers, with the result likely to have major implications for races such as the Cox Plate, King Charles III Stakes and Champions Stakes later in the campaign.
The boys dive straight into the feature, where all eyes are on Sheza Alibi following her outstanding first-up performance behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained mare steps out to 1600 metres second-up and has drawn ideally in barrier seven, giving her every chance to add another Group 1 victory to an already impressive résumé. Adam, Chris and Matty discuss whether she’s now the horse to beat for the major weight-for-age races this spring and if Saturday is the day she confirms her place among Australia’s best horses.
Standing in her way is the evergreen Mr Brightside, who returns to Flemington chasing an incredible fourth straight Makybe Diva Stakes victory. The conversation also turns to a fascinating group of challengers headed by Sir Delius, who resumes off an impressive trial and brings strong international form into the race.
Beyond the feature, the boys work through the remainder of the Flemington program and highlight several runners they believe can make their mark over the coming weeks. With the carnival now beginning to gather serious momentum, Saturday’s meeting shapes as another opportunity to identify the horses capable of emerging as genuine spring stars.
To finish the show, the boys lock in their Best Bets and value selections for the day. If you’re having a bet on Makybe Diva Stakes Day or looking to get ahead of the biggest spring storylines before the carnival reaches full speed, Bolting In has everything you need for a massive Saturday at Flemington.