Lachlan Neindorf pulls off South Australian Derby heist with Femminile
Lachlan Neindorf, a Stokes-trained horse, and cutting the corner en route to Group 1 victory, Femminile's upset win in Saturday's South Australian Derby felt like deja vu.
Twelve months after Neindorf and Climbing Star stole victory in the Robert Sangster, the hoop produced another gem to guide Femminile ($16) to Derby glory at Morphettville.
Jumping from barrier two in Saturday's $1m feature, the Dundeel filly didn't travel around another horse, as Neindorf latched onto the back of race favourite Statuario in running, before sticking to the rail and defying the grey in the closing stages.
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The win handed master trainer Phillip Stokes a maiden SA Derby win, and had assistant trainer Tommy Stokes elated post-race.
'We're just so proud. This horse has been prepped up an absolute treat leading into today,' Tommy Stokes said.
'Full credit to the team at Pakenham and Morphettville, it's a big operation now. The team puts in a lot of work, mum and dad, she spends a lot of time on the farm there.'
Unlike last year, when he notched a maiden Group 1 win in emotional scenes, there were no tears from Neindorf, now proudly sporting bleached blonde hair.
'No more tears. It's funny, about a month afterwards I went over to Flemington. Rode one for Phil and the team, and I think it was Pat Carey next to Phil, he said, 'you must have taught that boy everything',' Neindorf said.
'He said, 'I didn't tell him how to bloody cry!' So from that day onward, I go, you know what, I'm not crying again, no more'.'
The emotion wasn't as palpable as last year's Sangster, but Neindorf's smart mid-race Judgement was again on display for all to see.
Femminile holds off favourite Statuario to win the SA Derby. Picture: Makoto Kaneko
'I was (following Statuario) he was drawn one, I was drawn two, and that was just the plan early on, and then he sort of went to avenue out, and I lost the back of him, and from that point on, I just thought, 'you know what, let's make it up as we go here',' he said.
'The seas just parted, and all of a sudden I was behind Stubby on the top of the straight, and he rolled off to get to the better ground, and I thought, I'll take inside you now, and then come out and the rest was history.'
Statuario was gallant for second, beaten a ¾ length by Femminile, as jockey John Allen narrowly missed a fifth SA Derby win, while Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru was forced to make a mid-race move to the lead, and faded out to finish sixth.
Godolphin galloper Lavalier filled the placings, sticking on bravely to finish third.
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