Aussie Stars Makybe Diva, Starcraft Head Overseas

By Ric Chapman
Makybe Diva (Desert King -- Tugela), who has won the past two runnings of Australia's biggest race, the Melbourne Cup (Aust-I), is heading to Europe in February to continue her career. The immediate target is the Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I).

Now a 6-year-old, the mare has earned A$7,717,400 in stakes from her 25 starts and is aiming to become the highest earning female on the planet by the end of 2005.

Potentially the best middle distance horse in the southern hemisphere, Starcraft (Soviet Star -- Flying Floozie), the winner of A$2,417,300 from 17 races, has also left Australia for a shot at major group I races in England next year. His connecrtions are keen to reverse shuttle him should he win a group I race in England. He is only a 4-year-old and is already the winner of four Australasian group I races.