The race record of lightly-raced Demerit speaks volumes for his ability, but trainer Peter Snowden believes the racing public is still 12 months away from seeing the horse at his absolute best.Demerit will resume in Saturday's Group Two Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in what looms as a showdown with Cox Plate runner-up Manhattan Rain from the Gai Waterhouse stable.Demerit highlighted his potential last spring when he defeated Trusting, Manhattan Rain and Starspangledbanner in the Gro
The race record of lightly-raced Demerit speaks volumes for his ability, but trainer Peter Snowden believes the racing public is still 12 months away from seeing the horse at his absolute best.
Demerit will resume in Saturday's Group Two Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in what looms as a showdown with Cox Plate runner-up Manhattan Rain from the Gai Waterhouse stable.
Demerit highlighted his potential last spring when he defeated Trusting, Manhattan Rain and Starspangledbanner in the Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at just his third race start.
Snowden elected to bypass the Caulfield Guineas with him and the Lonhro colt then came out and was beaten only 1-1/4 lengths in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) before being sent for a spell.
"His record speaks for itself," Snowden said.
"It is outstanding what he has done in his short career. For me he is still a very immature horse, he's still got a lot to offer and we won't be overtaxing him too much this preparation. But he'll run really well tomorrow."
Demerit impressed in a recent barrier trial, finishing third in a 900m heat at Rosehill on February 2.
Manhattan Rain is TAB Sportsbet's fixed odds favourite at $2.10 with Demerit second pick at $3.60.
Stablemate Trim takes on Group One-winning filly More Joyous in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) and Snowden is expecting her to turn in a big run fresh.
Trim has won two of her four starts and placed second in her other two outings.
Also by Lonhro, Trim was only given one start in the spring and she duly scored at Flemington on November 5 in a Listed event over 1200m.
The three-year-old's barrier trial performance, when she ran a close second over 900m at Rosehill on February 2, indicated she was right on target for the autumn.
"She's a good filly, two wins and two seconds tells you she has ability," Snowden said.
"She has trialled really well, she's in good order and she'll run well.
"She's perfect, I can't fault her."
More Joyous dominates TAB Sportsbet's fixed odds market at $1.80 with Trim the second elect at $3.60.
Snowden's other stakes runner at Randwick will be first starter Quidnunc who lines up in the Listed Widden Stakes.