Super mare Via Sistina's Group-1 winning streak finally comes to an end as Mr Brightside seals Makybe Diva treble

Australian super mare Via Sistina suffered her first defeat since February when failing to reel in Mr Brightside in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. 

The seven-year-old had notched four Group 1 victories in succession this year, most recently when landing the Winx Stakes in August, but had to settle for third at Flemington on Saturday. 

She entered the home straight with just two runners behind her and, despite the urgings of James McDonald, she was unable to close the deficit between her and Mr Brightside, who made all under Craig Williams. 

The eight-year-old gelding struck by a length and a half to secure his third consecutive Makybe Diva win from Aeliana, with Via Sistina a further half-length back in third. 

"This horse, he just carries so many racing fans and people, if you love the song you've got him as well, he's just really captivated people around Australia," Williams told Racing.com. 

Via Sistina: star mare beatenCredit: Pat Scala/Racing Photos

"He's the best, or one of the best milers in Australia on his day, he's the best on his day and one of the best when he's not. He's just a marvel, three Makybe Divas, when I walked up with my wife today I said, 'We've got the Makybe Diva statue now, hopefully if he wins three they'll give him his own bronze statue as well'.

"This is what I dreamt of as a kid and wrote stories about at school, this is what every rider in the jockey's room works hard for and continues to work hard for – to win Group 1s and especially these feature races like the Makybe Diva Stakes."

Trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, three brothers based out of the town Euroa in Victoria, Mr Brightside became the first three-time winner of the Makybe Diva, recording his tenth Group 1 success in the process and 20th career victory. 

A return to the Group 2 Feehan Stakes in two weeks' time, which is staged at Moonee Valley, looks likely on the cards for the successful miler but connections are also considering sticking to the top level for the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick on October 18. 

"It turned out beautifully," Ben Hayes said. "It was a ten-out-of-ten ride. Tactically he got an easy time early and because he got an easy time, they couldn't catch a champion like him. 

"To win three Makybe Diva's and make it ten Group 1s, he's an amazing horse and we're so lucky to have him."

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