If top jockey Jim Cassidy is right, Dear Demi could be poised to return to the Group One winner’s list this campaign.
The Clarry Conners-trained mare will resume in the Guy Walter Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday, the first race of a four-start Sydney autumn carnival preparation which Conners hopes to extend to Brisbane.
“Jimmy reckons she feels better than ever,” Conners said.
“I hope he’s right.”
The winner of the 2012 VRC Oaks, Dear Demi traditionally runs well fresh although she is yet to win first-up.
She will meet a quality field on Saturday which includes the Gai Waterhouse-trained pair of Cosmic Endeavour and Diamond Drille along with Arabian Gold, a brilliant first-up winner in the spring.
Conners said Dear Demi was still carrying extra condition but had the class to be competitive.
“If anything, she’s still got a bit of a tummy which I suppose is good going into her first start,” Conners said.
“I haven’t put her under a lot of stress but she’s going nicely and she gets into the race well.”
The five-year-old is likely to be restricted to fillies and mares races during the Sydney autumn carnival with the Group One Coolmore Classic on March 14 her next target.
Dear Demi finished third behind Catkins a year ago when the race was known as The Wiggle Stakes.
