Clarry Conners didn't get any favours in his quest for a first Caulfield Cup 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 $2.5 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," Conners said.

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 Saturday's 2400m feature.

"I would rather be drawn out there than drawn the fence. I'm not just saying that because I drew that barrier," he said.

"If she had drawn the middle in eight, nine or ten you might be four or five wide going into the first turn and can't get in."

The closest Conners has come to victory in the Caulfield Cup was 20 years ago when Air Seattle was beaten in a photo finish by Fraar.