With Lee Freedman saying she is the best horse he has ever trained, it is worthwhile taking a moment to consider Makybe Diva's future.

A quick question: What would Makybe Diva's chances of success be if she went to Dubai next year (remembering of course that she failed in Japan last year - her report card stating that she was in season and did not appear to have an affinity with either the environment nor the hard track)?

The mare is the current darling of the media pack - and why not indeed? She has won 2 Melbourne Cups, last Saturday's Cox Plate (amongst a string of other G1 races) and in the process has de-throned Sunline as the greatest all time stakes money earner in Australasia.

So should she "do a Choisir/Elvstroem/Starcraft" and hop back on a plane next year?

A good benchmark for form is the Arc. Looking at the first 5 across the line in that race - Hurricane Run won but is unlikely to race in Dubai next year; Westerner is also unlikely. Bago is due to be retired, Motivator has been retired and will stand at the Royal Studs. Shawanda is an unlikely contender.

So, there are your best horses in Europe and none of them are likely to run in Dubai. For US$5million (AUD$6.69m) Makybe Diva would have to be favorite to win the G1 Sheema Classic over 2400 (G1- turf), the richest mile and a half race in the world.

In an interview with Fox Sports earlier this week Gai Waterhouse said:

"When you're the best in the land, you've got to travel. Of course you would go to Dubai."

David Hayes said "I would definitely travel with her, you have to."

Graeme Rogerson, who has run a stable in Dubai, said "She'll run well on grass over there."

Melbourne Cup decisions first ... and a few decisions after that. I do hope, however, that we get to see the champion mare line-up under Arabian skies on World Cup Night next year.