Dear Demi is likely to resume in the $220,000 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 7.

Trainer Clarry Conners said the daughter of Dehere would follow a similar spring path to his former staying mare Zagalia, who finished fifth behind Makybe Diva in the 2003 Melbourne Cup.

“Dear Demi has been back in work for a bit over a fortnight and she looks in good order,” Conners said.

“I’m very happy with how she’s done during her break. The plan with her at this stage is to head towards the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.”

Since winning the Oaks at Flemington last November, Dear Demi has finished second to Royal Descent in the ATC Oaks at Randwick as well as recording wins in the Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm and the Doomben Roses in Brisbane.

Dear Demi may meet up again with Royal Descent in Melbourne although her early spring racing will be in Sydney.

Like Dear Demi, Royal Descent is owned by Gerry Harvey and she will give him a strong hand in the Melbourne features.

Trainer Chris Waller is preparing Royal Descent to resume in the Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Warwick Farm on August 24 with a lead-up trial scheduled for Warwick Farm on July 26.

Royal Descent was spelled after she beat Dear Demi by 10 lengths on a heavy track in the Oaks at Randwick in April.

The disappointing news from the Conners stable is another setback for rising three-year-old Assail that will rule her out of the spring carnival.

Conners also confirmed that classy sprinting mare Satin Shoes had been retired to stud after being galloped on at her last start in the Lightning Handicap in Brisbane in June.

Click here to watch Dear Demi’s victory in the Crown Oaks