After a stellar performance to run third in the Caulfield Cup over the weekend, Dear Demi will be aimed at a testing spring double targeting both the Mackinnon Stakes and then the 2013 Melbourne Cup just three days later.

Caulfield Cup third placed Dear Demi will now target the Mackinnon Stakes - Melbourne Cup double. Photo: Daniel Costello.

Clarry Conners’ smart Dehere mare produced an eye-catching effort on Saturday when working her way from the extreme outside barrier 18 of 18 to come within one and a half lengths of Fawkner when third in the $2.5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

It was a lovely improvement on her last start eighth in the Turnbull at Flemington and showed she was coming on very nicely as a staying four-year-old.

“I couldn’t be happier with the horse and how she performed,” Conners said on Sunday of his Crown Oaks winner.

Conners now has a strange plan to firstly drop her back in distance for the $1 million Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Derby Day, November 2, before sending her up to 3200m again.

She’ll race over that distance on Tuesday November 5 when tackling the ‘race that stops a nation’, the $6.2 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), only three days after the Mackinnon.

“Going to the Melbourne Cup has always been in the back of the mind,” Conners said.

“I’m keen and so is (her owner) Singo (John Singleton).

“She’ll run in the Mackinnon and then back up in the Melbourne Cup.”

After her Caulfield Cup effort Dear Demi is currently rated a $31 chance in the Melbourne Cup odds led by last year’s runner-up Fiorente ($5.50).

Also at single figures in Melbourne Cup betting is Caulfield Cup runner-up Dandino at $7.

Sitting 23^rd on the Melbourne Cup ballot Dear Demi is assured of a start in the capacity 24 horse field and gets into the race with just 51kg.

To check out the full futures markets for the Melbourne Cup and get in on the nice early prices available on the hopefuls head over to Ladbrokes.com.au.

Remember too that after the Melbourne Cup final field is officially released, Ladbrokes.com.au will be offering DOUBLE the fixed win odds on all the runners!