Dear Demi has won almost $2 million in stakes but Clarry Conners is adamant her best racing is still come.

And it is an opinion backed up by premier Sydney jockey James McDonald.

“I think she’s come back better than ever,” Conners said.

“James McDonald rode her in both her trials and he said that’s the best she has ever felt and the keenest she has ever felt. So I hope he’s right.”

Dear Demi was scratched from Randwick last week because of a heavy track.

Conners redirected her to Melbourne where she will resume on a firmer surface in Saturday’s WW Cockram Stakes at Caulfield.

Missing a scheduled first-up appearance in Sydney will have no effect on the mare’s spring schedule, according to her trainer.

“We always had this race marked down as a backstop in case something went wrong with the first one,” Conners said.

The seasoned traveller arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday and has settled in well to what will be her home for the next two months.

Dear Demi has never won first-up but she has figured in the minor placings.

Conners will be satisfied if she is closing late against smart sprinting mares Commanding Jewel and Gregers in a race which will kick-start a spring campaign focused on the Caulfield Cup.

Dear Demi was third in last year’s Caulfield Cup and is a $51 chance this year.