Flamboyant owner John Singleton made the perfect start to Doncaster Mile day at Randwick when Dear Demi scored a narrow but decisive win in the opening race.
Singleton also races glamour mare More Joyous who was in doubt for the Doncaster earlier this week due to the wet track before Singleton decided on race morning she would take her place.
The Clarry Conners-trained Dear Demi ably flew the flag for him in the Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m) and in doing so earned herself a shot at the Group One Champagne Stakes over the same distance at Randwick next week.
“She’s still got next Saturday to go and that’s been our main aim this preparation,” Conners said.
“She’s a lovely staying filly.
“I said to Singo last week she would be hard to beat in this race.”
Dear Demi was easy in betting, opening at $2.60 before starting $4 favourite but she belied the drift to land a long neck win over Trophies ($21) with Proverb ($7) another half-length away third.
Winning jockey James McDonald said his experience riding her last start when runner-up in The Schweppervescence (1400m) on Golden Slipper day made a difference.
“My ride on her last start, I really learned a lot about her,” McDonald said.
“She really found the last furlong (200m) and I knew the extra furlong would suit her.
“She’s a tough filly and the mile definitely suits her.”
John Thompson, trainer of Trophies, felt he may have been produced too soon but was happy with the effort.
“The winner was probably too good,” Thompson said.
“But I’m a little critical. I thought he should have tracked into it in the straight instead of going early.”
The Fernhill was run on a heavy (8) but the track was upgraded to a slow (7) after the race.
