The 2013 Melbourne Cup lightweight tip for Dear Demi was strengthened after the Clarry Conners trained mare put in an outstanding trial when second in the Group 1 $1m Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington today.
Dear Demi, blue cap, runs a mighty race when 2nd to Side Glance in the Mackinnon Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The barrier draw wasn’t that kind to Dear Demi with the mare coming up with gate sixteen in the twenty-four horse field but if she can get cover midfield she will be strong at the finish.
Dear Demi has been in good form all through the Melbourne Spring Carnival with three placings from five starts including a third to Fawkner two starts back in the Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19 which is a good Melbourne Cup tip.
Grand Slam winning jockey Chris Munce was having his first ride on Dear Demi and is looking forward to the Melbourne Cup in three days time.
“She went really well. I was following Jet Away the whole way, I thought he would be the right one to take me into it, but he was like a shot duck at the top of the straight. I had to go back to the inside, but she finished off race well. It was a good trial for the Cup,” Munce said.
After initially firming from $34 to $14, Dear Demi is now marked at $21 following the barrier draw.
Dear Demi’s best win from her six race victories was her success in last year’s Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington when ridden by Jim Cassidy.
Gai Waterhouse’s import Fiorente ($7 favourite) and English stayer Mount Athos ($7.50) are fighting for Melbourne Cup favouritism following the barrier draw.
Fiorente drew well at gate five while Mount Athos was out of luck drawing two from the outside at twenty-two
French mare Varema from gate three is now a $11 chance in front of Voleuse De Coeurs who has been marked at $14 after being out of luck at the barrier draw, coming up with gate twenty-one.
English galloper Ruscello secured a last minute inclusion into the Melbourne Cup field after an all the way win in the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington and has been marked a $26 chance and has the job ahead after drawing the extreme outside gate.
Fawkner, one of six runners for prominent owner Lloyd Williams will have to carry a 1.5kg penalty for his Caulfield Cup win and has been marked a $21 chance after drawing favourably at eight.
