Hall of Fame jockey Jim Cassidy has said his 2012 Wakeful Stakes mount on Saturday “deserves” to win her Victoria Derby Day assignment, the Clarry Conners-trained Dear Demi gearing up for her spring grand final in the Crown Oaks.

Jim Cassidy would love to see Dear Demi win the Wakeful Stakes - Crown Oaks 2012 double this spring

One of 21 three-year-old fillies nominated for the $300,000 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) this weekend at Flemington, the daughter of Dehere has run top three in her latest two races at elite level.

Winner of the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1400m) second-up in Sydney last month Dear Demi was competitive in both the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick when third to Norzita, and the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) when third to Commanding Jewel last start.

For her opening four runs this time in she was ridden by young New Zealand jockey James McDonald but Cassidy jumped aboard for the Thousand Guineas producing a wonderful ride from the extreme outside gate (16), and retains the ride for the Wakeful.

Dear Demi is sure to jump one of the favourites this weekend as she heads towards the $1 million Group 1 VRC Crown Oaks (2500m) on November 8, and Cassidy hopes she can salute for the punters that get behind her.

Cassidy also rates Dear Demi a good chance in the 2012 Crown Oaks.

“She really deserves to win a big one,” Cassidy said.

“Hopefully she wins the Wakeful and can go on and win the Oaks.”

The bookies seem to agree and have the filly on the second line of Crown Oaks betting at bookmaker.com.au paying $4.40.

Current Crown Oaks odds are led by Zydeco ($3), Anthony Freedman’s Zabeel filly haven run third in the Thousand Guineas last time out.

Zydeco is also nominated for the Wakeful Stakes 2012, the race to have a dramatic impact on the Crown Oaks markets.

To get behind your Crown Oaks favourites at the best prices in the country make sure you head to bookmaker.com.au and place your bets with the online bookie offering the biggest range of Fixed Win horse racing markets.