Latest news with #ClimbingStar
New Paper
03-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
All stoked up with Femminile
Femminile became the second filly in a row to claim the South Australian Derby at Morphettville (2,500m) on May 3. Last year, it was second favourite Coco Sun who delivered the A$1 million (S$836,000) Group 1 event for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy's and jockey Jamie Melham's (then Kah) first success in the Adelaide classic. Similarly, Femminile allowed both trainer Philip Stokes and jockey Lachlan Neindorf to enter their home Derby honour roll for the first time, except that the Dundeel three-year-old was a lot less fancied at $103 on the Singapore tote. But from the halfway mark, she was travelling a lot more like a $10 favourite as she crept up along the rails for LachlanNeindorf, taking all the shortcuts home. She did not go around any runners as she went for broke upon straightening, collaring race-leader Goldrush Guru (Jason Holder) from underneath him before setting sail for home. Femminile may have hit the front too soon, but even if the last 300m of the home straight must have felt endless to connections, she kept hitting the line strongly. Favourite Statuario (John Allen) rushed home late but had to settle for second place 3/4-length away with second favourite Lavalier completing the trifecta another 1 3/4 lengths away, failing to give Melham back-to-back Derby wins. On the other hand, OTI Racing has gone one better after Warmonger could come only within 1½ lengths of Coco Sun last year. "We're just so proud. This horse has been prepped up an absolute treat," said Stokes' assistant-trainer son Tommy. "Full credit to the team at Pakenham and Morphettville. It's a big operation, the team, mum and dad put in a lot of work. "She's just been prepped up a tee. The back-up really suited, stepping up in trip. We were doing a bit of a rain dance before today but she didn't need it. "Lachie gave her an absolute peach. It was quite an effortless watch in the end. "It's another Group 1 winner for OTI. Can't wait to celebrate, it's a shame dad's (at Caulfield) not here, but I'm sure he's super proud. "So rapt for Lachie. He does a fair bit of work on this filly, but that was his first race ride on her." Neindorf, 22, was at his second Group 1 win after breaking his duck at the elite level with another Stokes ward, Climbing Star in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1,200m) a year ago on April 27, 2024. While Neindorf could not control the waterworks at that milestone, he was a lot more composed this time, but just as overjoyed. "It's funny. About a month after (the Robert Sangster), I went to Flemington, rode one for Phil and the team," said Neindorf. "Think it was Pat Carey next to Phil, he said 'gee, you must've taught that boy everything', Phil said 'I didn't teach him how to bloody cry'. "So, from that day on, you know what, I'm not crying again. No more tears." The 10-out-of-10 handling from barrier No. 2 itself was the epitome of coolness. "I just said to the boys pre-race, let's just lob out and keep her happy. I think these distance races, you see a lot of these top-class jockeys, they just worry about the race from the 1,200m onwards," he said. "Before that, it's just about getting the horse to relax and get the rhythm in. It was a bit messy, a few horses got pulling, but she just copped it all. "I was on the back of John Allen and trusted he would take me around and (I was) ready to go. "He popped off the fence and I lost his back. I thought, let's make it up as we go, the seas just parted." manyan@
The Australian
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
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. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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. Read related topics: Adelaide
7NEWS
03-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Unlikely $19 outsider Femminile's value skyrockets after Group 1 South Australian Derby triumph
One of just two fillies in the race, Femminile has relished the quick turnaround from last week's Oaks to take out the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday for trainer Phillip Stokes. Under a cool Lachlan Neindorf, the daughter of Dundeel didn't have to go around a horse after sneaking runs along the rail, booting clear to score by three-quarters of a length as a $19 chance over $3.40 favourite Statuario, with $6.50 chance Lavalier a further length away in third. There weren't many more emotional wins than Lachlan Neindorf in his maiden Group One victory aboard Climbing Star in last year's Robert Sangster Stakes, but this year the young hoop was as unflustered as his ride. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 'No more tears,' Neindorf said. 'It's funny, about a month afterwards I went over to Flemington, I 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'. '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.' In similar fashion to his victory aboard Climbing Star, Neindorf was happy to ride for luck and executed a pre-race plan to perfection. '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.' 'It's magical. It's amazing, really, sitting here thinking that all of a sudden now you've won two Group Ones, two consecutive years in a row. 'To have my family, my old man over there, he's got his top hat on he's a happy camper, so a few beers being sucked tonight.' Assistant trainer Tommy Stokes said the win greatly enhances Femminile's value, thrilled to get another major win for OTI Racing. 'I'm just very proud, especially another winner for OTI being a Group One, it's really special,' Stokes said. 'She's actually due to be sold after this prep so it's massive, she's super valuable now.'
News.com.au
30-04-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Boomer Bloodstock purchases share in super stallion Zoustar for $1.1m
The coveted share in star stallion Zoustar has sold on Inglis Digital for $1.1m on Wednesday in a sale that values Widden Stud's headliner at a eye-watering $66m. Boomer Bloodstock, for an unnamed client, forked out the seven-figure sum for the 1/60th share offered by Qatar Bloodstock following days of bidding for the Group 1 winner sprinter turned super sire. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Bidding for the rare share was already at $820,000 on the final day of the online sale with 20 bids made for a slice of the stallion. Qatar Bloodstock sold a similar 1/60th share last year for $1.3m to Bangaloe Stud. Zoustar stands for one of the highest fees of any stallion in Australia at $275,000 this season alongside Godolphin's Too Darn Hot while Newgate's Extreme Choice ($330,000) is the benchmark. Zoustar is expected to cover around 150 mares during the 2025 breeding season with Boomer Bloodstock's share ensuring they will get a portion of the income. A sire of 65 stakes winners, Zoustar has produced Group 1 winners Zougotcha Joliestar, Climbing Star and Schwarz in recent times.
News.com.au
23-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Climbing Star and Stretan Angel pose huge threat for Saturday's $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes
Phillip Stokes has an enviable hand in Saturday's $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes and the Group 1 -winning handler can hardly separate brilliant mares Climbing Star and Stretan Angel. Stokes is pursuing a third win in the Group 1 Sangster. He won with Instant Celebrity in 2021 before Climbing Star snuck up the inside to win last year's edition, handing Adelaide hoop Lachlan Neindorf a maiden Group 1 triumph. Returning to Morphettville to defend her crown, Climbing Star is a $5 favourite with Sportsbet fixed odds, while stablemate, Stretan Angel, is a $6.50 second elect, handing Stokes the top two favoured runners in betting. Climbing Star produced an eye-catching run first-up in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes, finishing half a length behind winner Asfoora. 'I thought Climbing Star's first-up run was super, she had a setback earlier in her prep, so she was always behind the eight ball – she's taken good improvement,' Stokes, a South Australian now based in Victoria, said. 'She obviously races very well this time of year, she's there to run well from a good barrier (seven). 'She'll run better again in The Goodwood.' . @LNeindorf wins his first G1! ðŸ'' Climbing Star causes an upset at double figures in the Robert Sangster Stakes â�ï¸� @pstokesracing — (@Racing) April 27, 2024 • Unlike her stablemate, Stretan Angel is deep into a campaign after three consecutive runs at Group 1 level, featuring placings in the $1 million Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) and $1.5 million Newmarket (1200m) at Flemington. The daughter of Harry Angel finished fourth in the $1 million William Reid last start at Moonee Valley. 'It's been a different sort of prep, she's been racing in elite Group 1s down the straight in Melbourne, her last run at Moonee Valley was a complete forget because the track was so bad,' he said. 'Four weeks between runs and a jumpout between, I'm very happy with her, I don't think there's much between the two of them. 'She (Stretan Angel) deserves it (a Group 1 win), fingers crossed she can get that on Saturday. Going into the run we can't fault her and she's there to run very well.' JOLIESTAR wins the @YulongInvest Newmarket Handicap for @cwallerracing and @LaneDamian 🙌 🎥 @Racing #RacingSpectacular #SuperSaturday #AllStarMile — Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 8, 2025 Neindorf had the agonising task of choosing between the two mounts for the Sangster – and the hoop stuck with his Group 1-winner Climbing Star, with Thomas Stockdale to pilot Stretan Angel. 'Earlier in the prep I just thought Stretan Angel was in front of Climbing Star, the prep before they were the other way around, it will come down to luck in running,' Stokes said. Stokes will saddle up five Group 1 runners on Saturday, the first day of the Adelaide Racing Carnival, with the $1 million Australasian Oaks the first of back-to-back Group 1s on Morphettville 's nine-race card. Stokes saddles up a trio of runners in the Oaks, a race he has won on two occasions (Marju Snip in 2006 and Maybe Discreet in 2013). Comanche Miss ($26), Femminile ($41) and Pelevecchio ($51) will represent Stokes in Saturday's 2000m feature for three-year-old fillies. Comanche Miss won last month's Clare Lindop Stakes before getting back from a wide gate in traditional Oaks lead-up the Auraria Stakes (1800m), in which she hit the line for 10th but pulled up lame. '(It was) nothing too severe, we've been happy with her work since,' Stokes said. 'Can she run 2000m? I don't know, there's a few question marks.'
