Femminile, one of only two fillies in the race, took full advantage of a quick back-up from the Oaks to claim victory in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday, handing trainer Phillip Stokes a memorable win.
Guided by a composed Lachlan Neindorf, the Dundeel filly saved every inch of ground along the rail before surging clear to defeat $3.40 betting sites favourite Statuario by three-quarters of a length. Lavalier, a $6.50 chance, filled third a further length back.
Neindorf, who broke through at Group 1 level in last year’s Robert Sangster Stakes on Climbing Star, handled the occasion with notable poise this time.
“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.”
Echoing his Group 1 tactics from last year, Neindorf waited patiently and took the gaps as they appeared, following Statuario early before opting to chart his own course.
“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 highlighted what the win meant for both the stable and the filly’s connections at 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.”
