Dear Demi is among a host of Group One winners listed for barrier trials at Warwick Farm on Friday.
Last year’s Victorian Oaks winner will return to Melbourne for her spring racing starting with the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 7.
Dear Demi - Photo by Daniel Costello
Trainer Clarry Conners said the John Singleton-owned mare was doing well in the stable but would not be asked to do too much in Friday’s 800m heat which also features triple Group One winner Appearance, Doomben Cup winner Beaten Up and Queensland Derby winner Hawkspur.
“She will have an easy trial on Friday before heading to Melbourne,” Conners said.
“Jim Cassidy will ride her in the trial and has first refusal on her depending on what his commitments in Sydney are.
“She is entered in the big races – the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate – and she will be entered for the Melbourne Cup.
“The Let’s Elope is the starting point.”
Dear Demi’s autumn didn’t go quite to plan and Cassidy was replaced after she ran second, beaten 10 lengths, in the Australian Oaks won by Royal Descent.
She won the Group Three Roses at Doomben in May with Luke Nolen aboard but finished out of the money in her next two Brisbane starts in the Grand Prix and the Queensland Oaks.
Foreteller, Metal Bender and Shoot Out feature in another 800m with the three Chris Waller-trained horses all due to resume in the Warwick Stakes on Saturday week.
The Guy Walter-trained Appearance will begin her build-up to a defence of the Myer Classic in the Show County Quality on Warwick Stakes day.
Her stablemate Streama, winner of a trial last week, will make her return in the Warwick Stakes with the Epsom Handicap on her program.
“Streama will stay in Sydney in the spring unless the weather intervenes,” Walter said.
“Appearance will run in the Show County, the Theo Marks and the Golden Pendant then head to Melbourne for the Tristarc and the Myer.”
