Thousand Guineas draw unkind for Dear Demi

Clarry Conners’ delight at Dear Demi’s early morning workout at Caulfield on Monday was tempered a few hours later when the filly drew the outside gate for the Thousand Guineas.

A field of 16 plus two emergencies was declared for Wednesday’s Group One feature the Thousand Guineas with first reserve Meditrina gaining a start after an accidental acceptance for the Chris Waller-trained Jade Marauder.

Jim Cassidy will replace James McDonald on Dear Demi with instructions from Conners to be kept to a minimum.

“The instructions will be to go back from there and ride for luck,” Conners said.

“He can use all his genius and ability from the half mile (800m).

“There’s nothing you can do about bad draws but it’s a shame it has to happen in a major race.

“It will give Jimmy something to think about.”

The Warwick Farm trainer has no fears about the Caulfield track bringing Dear Demi undone with the filly pleasing him in her trackwork.

“She worked nicely here this morning and got around the track as good as gold,” he said.

“I base myself here when I’m in Melbourne and I’ve had a lot of luck with horses staying at Caulfield like Arborea and Research.”

Arborea won the Thousand Guineas in 1993 before going on to win the Wakeful Stakes and the VRC Oaks while Research claimed the final two legs of that treble after being beaten in the 1988 Guineas by Riverina Charm.

After Dear Demi’s second to Pierro in the Champagne Stakes earlier this years Conners was moved to compare her to Research who was named Australian Horse of the Year for her three-year-old season.

Things didn’t quite go to plan throughout the Princess Series in Sydney. After winning the Furious Stakes, Dear Demi finished fourth in the Tea Rose and third in the Group One Flight Stakes won by Norzita from Longport.

Norzita has been sent for a spell by Bart Cummings while Longport runs in the Thousand Guineas.

Dear Demi has been a drifter in Thousand Guineas betting and was out to $17 on Monday with Molto Bene the $4.80 favourite ahead of Commanding Jewel ($6.50) a younger half-sister to last year’s winner Atlantic Jewel.

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