Group 1-winning jockey Lachlan Neindorf excited for Lightning Stakes, eyeing Victoria move
SA jockey Lachlan Neindorf has unfinished business in Melbourne and is eyeing a move back to Victoria, but for now the hoop is focused on a FIFO mission at Flemington on Saturday.
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South Australian jockey Lachlan Neindorf has unfinished business in Melbourne and is eyeing a move back to Victoria, but for now the talented hoop is focused on a FIFO mission at Flemington in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.
Neindorf rides Stretan Angel in Saturday’s $1 million sprint over 1000m, and returns to Flemington a Group 1-winning jockey after his success aboard Climbing Star in last year’s Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville.
The win was the catalyst for a growth in confidence that has Neindorf believing he can match it with the best at the top level.
“It did a lot for me,” Neindorf, who sits second in the Adelaide jockeys’ premiership (24 wins), said.
“Probably more so confidence wise, it took a lot of pressure off me, you believe that you can do it and know you have done it before.
“Every jockey strives to do it but when you do, you probably have a different outlook on things, you go out there and ride more confidently, relaxed, there’s no pressure to prove anything.”
Neindorf only needs to turn left to right and he’ll see star jockeys Jamie Melham, Mark Zahra and James McDonald in the barriers alongside him on Saturday, and he relishes that challenge.
“Riding against the elite riders, it does bring the best out in you,” he said.
“Every time you go across there, it sharpens you up, every opportunity I get, if it’s the right time, I go across and take the opportunity as it does improve you as a rider.
Congratulations to Lachlan Neindorf on his first Group 1 victory in the Robert Sangster Stakes ðŸ‘
— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) April 27, 2024
📼 courtesy https://t.co/I3i12HGtPUpic.twitter.com/gmfXkIZwq3
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“They ride a lot tighter, you’re riding against the elite whether you’re at a metro or provincial meeting.”
SA-expat trainer Phillip Stokes has played a huge role in Neindorf’s ascent to Group 1 racing, providing him with the opportunity aboard Climbing Star, and again on Saturday with Stretan Angel.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity, obviously they’ve been a big part of my success, Stokesy’s (stable),” he said.
“For them to keep backing me and to get an opportunity in Melbourne in a Group 1 is very exciting.”
After spending almost two years in Victoria as an apprentice from 2020-22, Neindorf is lining up a return to the state.
“It’s been in the pipeline, we’ve been speaking about it, myself and my manager (Nick Pinkerton),” he said.
“Having gone over there once, the time frame this time is more the delicate thing, and picking the right time to go across there.
“Obviously with the support of Stokes, it makes it easier this time going across, because you know you’re going to have that base level of support.
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“Nothing’s confirmed, but we’re thinking maybe ride out the rest of the season here (Adelaide), and all going well, going across in dribs and drabs and exposing me slowly.
“It’s something in the pipeline that’s for sure.”
Stretan Angel is a $20 hope with Sportsbet for Saturday’s Lightning Stakes, and Neindorf has fond memories of the Flemington straight, winning the Listed Straight Six aboard Romancer for Grahame Begg at monster odds of $101 in 2021 – Neindorf’s solitary win at HQ.
“She’s (Stretan Angel) a class mare, I know the team have always had a big opinion of her,” Neindorf said.
“She’s got the ability there, hopefully she can put a forward performance in and make her presence felt in a few weeks time in the Newmarket.”
Neindorf also pilots Prinzerro for Stokes on Saturday, while he rides Mystical Wisdom for Richard and Chantelle Jolly at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Originally published as Group 1-winning jockey Lachlan Neindorf excited for Lightning Stakes, eyeing Victoria move
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