Trainer Clarry Connors is happy with the progress of staying mare Dear Demi ahead of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Dear Demi is chasing her second Group 1 victory in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
After a brief breaking following an extensive autumn and winter campaign, Dear Demi returned to the races with a seventh place finish behind Commanding Jewel in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 7 before producing one of the most impressive performances of her career when she finished within a length of It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.
Connors was delighted with the daughter of Dehere’s performance in the Underwood Stakes and told Racing Ahead that she has continued to come along nicely.
“I am really happy with her,” Connors said on RSN.
“Her first run was good too in the Let’s Elope; she was a long way back and found the line really well.
“She is coming along really nicely after two runs back.”
The Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) are the major spring goals for Dear Demi and Connors is confident that another strong performance in the Turnbull Stakes will have her ready for the Caulfield Cup in a fortnight’s time.
“The big track helps her a lot and we are looking forward to Saturday,” Connors said.
“It should be nice for her.
“She has had a fairly easy prep; when I’ve taken her to Melbourne before she has had a few more runs than what she has had now.
“She has only had the two runs but is pretty tough and should be right by Cup time.”
Craig Williams will ride Dear Demi for the second time in the Turnbull Stakes this weekend but is unlikely to ride the four-year-old in either the Caulfield Cup or the Melbourne Cup.
“I was very happy when he was able to take the time,” Connors said.
“He isn’t able to ride her all the time, because he is tied down, but when I got the go ahead I was more than happy.”
Dear Demi will be Connors’ first runner in the Turnbull Stakes since Research finished second behind Super Impose in the 1989 edition of the race.
