The G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) headlines a big 10-race card at Flemington on Saturday.

There is likely to be a bit of give in the ground with showers forecast in Melbourne on Thursday and Friday. They are expected to clear by raceday.

The rail will be in the true position throughout.

Race-by-race preview, tips and best bets below.

R1 – BM78 (1100m)

She’s An Artist (10) was beaten as a $1.30 favourite here last start but the winner Bridal Waltz then went to Caulfield and won a Group 3. Prior to that shock defeat, she was a scintillating winner over this route and a repeat of that performance would see her prove incredibly hard to beat.

Stoli Bolli (7) was beaten by the barrier first-up and then ran into a rampaging Red Hot Nicc in what has turned out to be a good form race. The very wide gate should be okay in the huge field down the straight.

Tonkin (8) has been dominant at the midweeks and now comes to town on a Saturday, tackling the straight for the first time. This will be his first try beyond 1000m.

Salsa Fellow (6) won well over this route last prep and probably should have won at Caulfield prior to going for a break.

VERDICT: She’s An Artist (10)

R2 – Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m)

Tycoon Star (2) was unlucky not to win on resumption before atoning with a dominant win over 1200m at Caulfield last start. He has won down the straight previously and is well drawn to get off heels when Dee wants to let him loose.

Legacy Bound (3) has won his only two career starts by a combined margin of 6.6L. The horse he thrashed last start, Steel Trap, then came out and won a Group 3 at her next start.

McGaw (5) is still learning the caper but there is plenty of ability there. He was good splitting Tycoon Star and Jimmy Recard last start and Damian Lane sticks.

Shining Smile (4) is a very good straight-course galloper, winning 3 from 5 with two minor placings.

VERDICT: Tycoon Star (2) for the win.

R3 – Listed Exford Plate (1400m)

This race is incredibly difficult and one that I’m happy to stay out of punting-wise. Vinrock (1) was poor on resumption, so I want to see improvement from him before diving in. Crossbow (3) has been racing consistently but the form has been a little bit untrustworthy. Just Kick (12) was beaten at the midweeks last start but has ability and maps perfectly for Lane. Nothing would shock.

VERDICT: Too-hard basket.

R4 – Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m)

My Gladiola (2) looks well-drawn to scoot home down the stand-side fence in the huge field. She loomed large at Caulfield on resumption but was just outgunned by Ferivia. She’s been back to the trials so will be fitter for this and Flemington appears suitable.

Inkaruna (4) was good winning on debut and was competitive in a couple of Group 2s after that. A tongue tie goes on for the first time and Shinn takes the ride.

Signature Scent (12) led and was a sitting duck at Caulfield last start but battled on okay to be beaten less than a length by My Gladiola. There isn’t much between them and they’ve drawn alongside each other.

VERDICT: My Gladiola (2) in an open affair. 

R5 – Listed Tontonan Stakes (1400m)

It’s a tough race so I’m happy to have something small each-way on Robrick (11) who has shown glimpses of above-average ability. His best efforts have come at Flemington (3:1-2-0) and he did enough first-up over 1200m at The Valley. He almost knocked off Rey Magnerio in Listed grade when second-up last prep.

Athanatos (10) was excellent on resumption when running an unlucky 3rd at Caulfield. He would have gone very close with clear running in the straight and his second-up record suggests he’ll hold his form here. He’ll be a great third-up play over 1600m+ but could pinch this on the way there.

Transatlantic (3) was well-beaten in the G1 Stradbroke last start but was awesome beating Desert Lightning over 1500m prior to that. He’ll likely improve on whatever he does here but has to be respected.

Rise At Dawn (1) has run some cracking races here and is tough.

VERDICT: Small each-way bet on Robrick (11).

R6 – G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m)

Airman (2) looks well-drawn and gets the services of James McDonald. His trials have been excellent and he’s run some very nice races when fresh. He beat Bella Nipotina over this distance last spring and has won down the straight previously.

Arkansaw Kid (4) has finished 2nd on five occasions since his last win. The low draw doesn’t look ideal in this straight-course affair but he never runs a bad race.

Royal Insignia (11) was solid first-up and gets in light, while Corniche (7) has to be respected first-up for the new camp. The ex-Cummings gallopers have been airborne but he’s never raced down the straight.

VERDICT: Airman (2) each-way. BEST VALUE

R7 – G3 Archer Stakes (2500m)

Revelare (4) was never a winning hope first-up over a mile but certainly wasn’t disgraced and showed nice improvement second-up to win over 2000m. The rise to 2500m is the query but he gives every indication he’ll run it out and both of his Flemington wins have been quite soft.

Bur Dubai (12) also comes into this third-up. He faded when racing on-pace fresh over a mile before stepping up to 2000m last start to run well for 2nd – giving the winner 5kg. His only previous win in Australia was over this distance, so he’ll relish the extra trip. He maps favourably. 

Jennivamoose (6) has been Impressive winning her last couple over this trip at The Valley. Racing away from that track, which she clearly loves, is the query.

Sayedaty Sadaty (3) looks the likely leader from the wide gate. He’s racing consistently and the distance rise shouldn’t be a problem. 

VERDICT: Revelare (4) hardest to beat.  

R8 – G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m)

Via Sistina (5) was beaten in this race last year but that was on a Heavy 9 deck. She maps to sit behind likely leader Mr Brightside in the run and she’ll be extremely hard to hold out regardless of what sort of tempo we get (a pedestrian speed seems likely). 

Mr Brightside (1) looks the default leader from barrier one in the small field. He has won this race the last two years and was brave first-up in the Memsie behind Treasurethe Moment. He boasts an awesome second-up record (8:6-1-0) and will take some getting past.

Aeliana (6) was outstanding first-up behind Via Sistina but the tempo/small field may play against her here. The same could be said about Antino (3), unless Blake Shinn puts the foot down early and tries to take Via Sistina out of her comfort zone. He’s produced a couple of pearlers on this horse in the past. 

VERDICT: Via Sistina (5) looks very hard to beat. Mr Brightside (1) the quinella horse. 

R9 – G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m)

Lazzura (3) was an arrogant first-up winner on a Heavy 10 and can be just as effective on top of the ground. She put a gap on With Your Blessing who then came out and finished 3rd in the G2 Tramway last Saturday. Barrier six looks perfect for the Waller mare.

On Display (7) was brilliant winning last start and is an exciting prospect. Barrier one looks awkward though for a horse that isn’t a great beginner. She can’t afford to be giving Lazzura too much of a start.

Abounding (6) was excellent first-up behind Group 1 winner Magic Time. Shinn takes over and she’s drawn nicely.

Oh Too Good (10) thrashed the handy Jimmy The Bear over 1600m here two-back and has only been out of the placings twice in her 12-start career. 

VERDICT: Lazzura (3) for the win. BEST BET

R10 – Open Handicap (1700m)

Golden Path (1) will roll forward from the very wide gate and race in the first couple. The El Rocko/Too Darn Discreet form is easy to like but he probably wants it a bit wetter than the likely Soft 5 conditions.

Globe (4) won’t have to do any work in the early stages of the race and both of his second-up runs have been good. He certainly looks short enough at sub-$3 in early markets though.

Plymouth (17) will get back but should be hitting the line hard with even luck. He was never a factor first-up over 1400m but this trip is far more suitable and he’s won second-up in the past.

Kingswood (6) resumes. He was excellent early in his last preparation and should come to hand quickly. 

VERDICT: Golden Path (1) 1 x 3.