Racing: Diva on song for Cups

Champion mare Makybe Diva's silky smooth path to the Cox Plate continued at Mornington on Saturday when she worked impressively between races.

Trainer Lee Freedman, who later won the feature race with We Can't Say That, and stand-in jockey Steven King described the work as faultless.

Makybe Diva gave galloping partner Pentacolo a few lengths start in the 1200m work-out, breezed past that horse in the straight and went to the line under a strong hold.

She ran her last 600m in only just over 36 seconds.

"She did everything we wanted her to do and really seemed to enjoy herself," Freedman said.

"The work partner is a fairly handy horse and you saw how easily she had him covered."

Saturday's flawless work-out was a contrast to the same day last year when Makybe Diva "underworked" between races at Mornington, a hick-up that did not stand in her way as she went on to run a close second in the Caulfield Cup before winning her second Melbourne Cup.

Makybe Diva will contest the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington next Saturday before tackling the Cox Plate three weeks later.

King, who will be aboard Makybe Diva in the Turnbull, but will relinquish the mount to Glen Boss in the Cox Plate, said the mare felt "very sharp".

"She worked nice and strong and seemed fresh and bright for 2000 metres," King said. "You could not fault her work. She really wanted to chase, all good signs".

* Bart Cummings' bid for a 12th Melbourne Cup has suffered a major blow with Accumulate and High Cee out for the spring because of tendon injuries. High Cee was among the favoured runners for next week's group one Metropolitan Hcp.