Classy mare Dear Demi has given injured trainer Clarry Conners a welcome tonic by winning the Group Two Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Conners sustained the injuries when kicked in the face by a horse at Hawkesbury racecourse on Thursday.
The veteran trainer, who suffered fractures to his right eye socket and cheek and lost a number of teeth in the accident in the mounting yard, watched Friday’s race from his Sydney home after being told not to fly for four weeks.
Dear Demi – Stocks Stakes 2014
Dear Demi confirmed what he already knew, that she was on target for spring riches, arriving in time grab leader Solicit on the line to win the 1600m race by a short half head.
Odds-on favourite Commanding Jewel finished a disappointing third, another 1-3/4 lengths away, after sitting outside the leader.
Champion jockey Jim Cassidy praised Conners for the way he has prepared Dear Demi, who won the VRC Oaks as a three-year-old and is being aimed at going two places better in the Caulfield Cup than her third placing last year.
“I thought we were only going to win if we were going to win late,” Cassidy said.
“She wobbled around the corner a little but she was tough the last bit and will only improve.
“Credit to Clarry, she’s as tough a mare as I’ve ever ridden. He just seems to be able to keep getting her up and up. So credit to Clarry.”
Owner John Singleton’s racing manager Duncan Grimley said the Caulfield Cup had always been the aim and Dear Demi would have her next start in the Group One Caulfield Stakes (2000m).
Damien Oliver said Commanding Jewel was disappointing.
A Cox Plate start appears unlikely with co-trainer Troy Corstens also saying Commanding Jewel was disappointing on face value and the Toorak Handicap over 1600m looked a better target.
