The Golden Slipper-winning combination of owner John Singleton and trainer Clarry Conners produced another Slipper hopeful with the fast-finishing victory of Dear Demi at Rosehill on Saturday.
Conners has won the Golden Slipper four times including a memorable victory with the Singleton-owned Belle Du Jour in 2000.
Dear Demi goes a step closer to a Golden Slipper berth - Photo by Steve Hart
Dear Demi had been crying out for 1200 metres in her previous three starts and relished the extra journey as she finished over the top of her rivals along the inside in The Juniors Handicap.
The daughter of Dehere, the same sire as Belle Du Jour, showed no early speed in running and jockey Peter Robl elected to stick closest to the inside in the straight as others fanned wider on the turn.
Dear Demi ($4.20) was strong to the line as she defeated debut runner Ashokan ($4) by three-quarters of a length with a short neck to The Broken Shore ($4.80) in third place.
Favourite Tatra ($3.40) was the widest runner in the straight and finished fourth.
Conners was in Melbourne for the Oakleigh Plate but the filly’s high-profile owner-breeder said the Golden Slipper was definitely on the radar.
“If she qualifies for the Slipper, she’ll be in it,” Singleton said.
“She sweated up a lot before the race but she’s got some ticker, this filly.”
Robl believes Dear Demi will be even better when she gets to 1400 metres and 1600 metres but was impressed by the way she attacked the line.
“She’s a nice filly and that’s probably going to be a good form race,” Robl said.
“She got back and I was happy to stay where I did in the straight and she hit the line nicely.
“She is probably even looking for seven furlongs (1400m) or a mile (1600m). If she goes to one of the Golden Slipper qualifiers in the next few weeks then the quicker they go the better it is going to suit her because she’ll be the strongest on the line.”
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