Racing: It's up to jockey - Conners

Last season's Oaks winner Dear Demi (right) faces a tough task to win the Caulfield Cup.Picture / Getty Images

Sydney trainer Clarry Conners didn't get any favours in his quest for a first Caulfield Cup on Saturday when he drew the outside barrier for Dear Demi.

While the lamentable draw might not have helped the mare's chances, Conners doesn't have to look back far for a horse who has overcome the outside gate to win the A$2.5 million ($2.8 million) handicap.

Dear Demi will jump from barrier 18 of 18 - the same as Dunaden 12 months ago when he swept to victory.

"That makes me feel better. I'll tell Singo [owner John Singleton] that," Conners said.

Conners looked for positives for last year's VRC Oaks winner after the draw and said their tactics would be to go back and hope the race fell into place for the mare and jockey James McDonald. "That's up to our jock now if he can do it. He has to ride a super race."

Dear Demi, $17 in Caulfield Cup markets, has raced three times this spring with her best result a third behind It's A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel second-up in the Underwood Stakes.

Conners says Dear Demi thrives on work and racing and he believes she is going "better than ever" heading into the 2400m feature.

"I would rather be drawn out there than drawn the fence. I'm not just saying that because I drew that barrier. If she had drawn the middle in eight, nine or 10 you might be four or five wide going into the first turn and can't get in."

Conners said Dear Demi's three races leading up to Saturday - the Let's Elope Stakes, the Underwood Stakes and the Turnbull Stakes - have provided the right foundation for the Caulfield Cup.

"She's as good as she's ever been going into this race."

Dear Demi won the VRC Oaks last year and Conners says the Caulfield Cup distance of 2400m holds no fears. "She's a very relaxed horse and I don't think the 2400m will be any problem," he said.

Dear Demi was not the only leading chance to draw badly with Hawkspur set to lose his position at the head of the market.

He drew 16, prompting bookies to declare they would take on one of the best horses from the successful stable of Chris Waller.

They reacted immediately by turning the star galloper out from $4.20 to $4.80.

Hawkspur will come in at least one gate following the scratching of third emergency Ibicenco and could move in one more if first reserve Forgotten Voice doesn't run.

"We've taken the view that the wide barrier for a horse having its first run at Caulfield makes him a good risk," said Sportingbet's Michael Felgate.

Jockey Jim Cassidy took a philosophical view of the draw in a race which he hopes will give him his 100th Group One winner.

"I don't worry about barrier draws because there's nothing I can do about them," Cassidy said.

- AAP

R10: 7.45pm BMW Caulfield Cup, A$2,650,000, 2400m. - Manighar (10) 58.0, Dandino (18), Ethiopia (13) 56.5; Waldpark (8) 56, Glencadam Gold (6), Mr Moet (9) 55.5; Fawkner (11), Jet Away (12), Kelinni (1), Moriarty (17), My Quest for Peace (4) 55; Hawkspur (15), Julienas (14), Mr O'ceirin (19), Silent Achiever (5) 54.5; Royal Descent (3) 54, Tuscan Fire (2) 53.5, Dear Demi (21) 53. Emgs: Forgotten Voice (7) 54.5, Sneak a Peek (16), Ibicenco (scratched) 54; Oasis Bloom (20) 51.5.