Peter Moody and Luke Nolen know what it's like to have a champion. Black Caviar remains the benchmark in Australia. Now the pair believe they have another star on their hands in mare Sheza Alibi, this time in partnership with Moody's training associate, Katherine Coleman. Their mare ran second last start, but only to a horse already being spoken of as a champion in her own right, Autumn Glow. This week, Sheza Alibi gets the chance to prove herself again, this time against a ten-time Group 1 winner, three-time winner of this very race, and one of the most popular horses in Australian racing history, Mr Brightside.

Mr Brightside was solid on his return from nearly a year in the paddock, doing it tough from a wide draw and against a tempo that didn't suit him. This week he steps up from barrier 2, a far more favourable setup that should let him show his true form. But the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington is about more than just these two stars. Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours returns to the track as he begins his campaign to defend his crown, while Sir Delius, one of Australia's highest-rated horses and the only runner to have beaten Autumn Glow, is also back in action, albeit with bigger targets later in the spring. They're joined by quality contenders Autumn Boy, Aeliana, Treasure the Moment and Ohope Wins, rounding out an outstanding field.

It's a sensational line-up for this year's Makybe Diva Stakes, and one that deserves attention on the world stage, attention it will receive courtesy of the World Pool, brought to international audiences through the Hong Kong Jockey Club's mission to showcase the best racing from around the globe to participating jurisdictions worldwide. SKY Racing form expert Jason Witham joins Sam Phillips for an in-depth look at this year's Makybe Diva Stakes Preview, available here.

The other headline act on the Flemington card is the Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes, with the winner earning a direct route into this year's Melbourne Cup. Four-year-old French import Nearco Frod, now with reigning Melbourne Cup-winning stable Calvin & Tony McEvoy, has acclimatised beautifully, bringing a four-race winning streak into Saturday's contest. He looks every inch a Melbourne Cup horse in the making, though this will be by far his toughest test yet.

It's also a huge day in Sydney, with big fields and big prizemoney on offer at Rosehill, headlined by the Group 2 Run To The Rose. Unbeaten colt St Gotthard, trained by Chris Waller, looms as the one to beat, lightly raced and clearly being primed for a tilt at the Golden Rose. Highly touted colts Tron Bolt and Warwoven bring strong two-year-old form into their three-year-old campaigns, with the Golden Rose now only a few weeks away.

It's a huge day of Spring Racing action across Australia, don't miss it.

Photo & Video by: Sky Racing