Clarry Conners defends decision to run Dear Demi on Derby day

WHILE most trainers have avoided running the leading Melbourne Cup hopes on Derby day, Clarry Conners always had Dear Demi set to run today.

Clarry Conners and Jim Cassidy celebrate Dear Demi's Oaks win last year.

WHILE most trainers of the leading Melbourne Cup hopefuls have avoided running their stayers at Flemington today, Clarry Conners always had a Derby Day start in mind for Dear Demi.

There are only four of the top 24 in the Cup order of entry racing today with three of them clashing in the Group 1 $1 million Mackinnon Stakes (20000) - Dear Demi, Mourayan and Mr Moet.

PROFILES OF THE MELBOURNE CUP CONTENDERS

Conners said Dear Demi needs this run to finetune her preparation for Tuesday's big race.

"Dear Demi backs up well and that is what I'm counting on,'' Conners said.

"She ran in the Wakeful Stakes on this day last year then five days later she won the (Victoria) Oaks easily.

"If I didn't run her in the Mackinnon then what would I do with her (this) morning?

"She doesn't work well, she's not the best trackworker but she is a racehorse and that is why I thought it was best to run her.''

Melbourne Cup runner Dear Demi with strapper Lucky Gurdeep at the Caulfield stables.

Dear Demi is attempting to join Empire Rose (1988) and Let's Elope (1991) as the only mares to complete the Mackinnon Stakes-Melbourne Cup double.

She goes into today's weight-for-age race on the back of an excellent third to Fawnker in the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago.

"She ran very well from the wide barrier at Caulfield, I was very proud of her,'' Conners said.

"She likes Flemington and has run well every time she has raced there.

"I think she think she is just about the best chance I've had for the Melbourne Cup.''

Champion Brisbane jockey Chris Munce takes the ride on Dear Demi in the Mackinnon prior to partnering the mare at 51kg in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.

Dear Demi (left) and Every Faith do some work on the course at Caulfield. Picture: Michael Klein

"We wanted Chris to ride her in the Mackinnon to get a bit of an ideal how she goes,'' Conners continued.

"He will know what is under him when he has to put the 'pedal to the metal' in the Cup.''

Conner is also saddling up his Victoria Oaks contender Refer in the Group 2 $300,000 Wakeful Stakes (2000m), a race he has won three times previously with Research (1988), Arborea (1993) and Quays (2001).

"She ran well at Caulfield and is an improving filly,'' Conners said. "Like Dear Demi, she is crying out for distance.''