Peter Snowden admits Demerit hasn't quite lived up to his expectations so far this preparation but the trainer got his wish for a good barrier on Wednesday as the colt chases a Group One victory in the All Aged Stakes.Demerit was scratched from the Randwick meeting last week because he drew wide in the South Pacific Classic, but has come up with barrier four for Saturday's 1400m weight-for-age event.The three-year-old's only start so far this campaign was his fourth in the Group Two Canterbury S

Peter Snowden admits Demerit hasn't quite lived up to his expectations so far this preparation but the trainer got his wish for a good barrier on Wednesday as the colt chases a Group One victory in the All Aged Stakes.

Demerit was scratched from the Randwick meeting last week because he drew wide in the South Pacific Classic, but has come up with barrier four for Saturday's 1400m weight-for-age event.

The three-year-old's only start so far this campaign was his fourth in the Group Two Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on March 20.

The son of Lonhro made a huge impression during the spring carnival in Melbourne when he defeated Trusting, Manhattan Rain and Starspangledbanner in the Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at only his third start.

He was then beaten only 1-1/4 lengths when sixth in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) before going for a spell.

Snowden was quite honest in assessing just how well he thought Demerit had come back this autumn.

"I'm disappointed in a way because I just thought on what he'd shown me last preparation he could've been anything," Snowden said.

"To my eye he hasn't shown that sort of form, but I'll still say he's going better than what he was last start and I still thought that run was quite okay."

The Canterbury Stakes was Demerit's first try at weight-for-age and he raced forward outside the leader Dreamscape before going down by two lengths to Hot Danish.

The colt had an interrupted preparation leading into that first-up run and Snowden was satisfied with the performance.

"It was his first run back from a spell and he'd had two interruptions in his preparation, so I thought his run was outstanding," he said.

"He's in good order now, he's certainly better after that run and he'll be competitive."

Demerit is one of three three-year-olds contesting the All Aged Stakes with the Peter Moody-trained Tickets lining up and also last-start TJ Smith Stakes winner Melito.

Hot Danish and Mic Mac, who finished second and third to Melito in the TJ Smith, have been installed equal favourites at $3.60 just ahead of Danleigh at $4.20 with Melito at $6.50.

Beaded, who was beaten in a photo-finish by stablemate Renaissance in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes last start, joins her stablemate Demerit in the All Aged.

The four-year-old mare is a model of consistency, winning seven of her 11 starts with four placings.