Lightly raced mare Demerara gets an opportunity to enhance a near faultless fresh record when she chases her biggest win in the Group Two Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington.
Saturday's 1200m straight-track sprint will be the Godolphin-owned, James Cummings-trained mare's first start since winning the Listed Silk Stocking on a heavy track at the Gold Coast in May,.
The Silk Stocking is the biggest win to date for Demerara who has won four of her five first-up attempts while she also won fresh from a nine-week let-up at Rosehill last November.
Demerara and stablemate Resin were entered for the Group Two Sheraco Stakes (1200m) in Sydney on Saturday but Cummings has scratched the pair from that race for fillies and mares believing the Bobbie Lewis was the better option.
Cummings said Demerara was coming along beautifully, having trialled well twice in Sydney.
"She has won first-up five times, so she's a highly capable mare when fresh," Cummings said.
"Her trials have been good. She's been competitive in Group company previously and has the opportunity here to step up."
Demerara was the $5 favourite on race eve while Resin, who is also first-up, was $11.
"Resin's work has been particularly encouraging and although yet to win when resuming, she has been placed in four out of five first-up efforts," Cummings said.