Lachlan Neindorf made the ideal return to Melbourne racing on Saturday, celebrating a Stakes victory at Caulfield that underlined his growing reputation.
One of Adelaide’s leading jockeys, Neindorf had previously ridden in Melbourne during his apprenticeship before relocating to Mornington late last season. His association with trainer Phillip Stokes has been long and successful, highlighted by Group 1 wins, and while no longer the stable’s official first-choice rider, he retained the mount on Ferivia in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m).
The pair delivered again, giving Neindorf two wins and a second placing from just three rides on the talented filly. He was quick to credit the Stokes camp for their handling of the promising youngster.
Having partnered Ferivia through her early education and debut win at Murray Bridge, Neindorf said it was special to continue their association. “Full credit to Phil and the team as she’s quite a hot filly,” Neindorf said.
“I wasn’t confident that she would be able to see out a big preparation. I thought she might taper off because she is so hot, but Phil got the pony on her at trackwork and every run that she had, she has got better and developed and matured as a professional racehorse. That’s going to take her a long way.”
Neindorf added that Ferivia may not be limited to sprinting. “She has good qualities about her. She knows when to switch on and switch off. She listens to the rider, and I love horses that do that because they are not one dimensional. She’s got a lovely big stride on her and I always thought she had the scope to get 1400 metres to a mile, even though she is from a Street Car family that don’t normally stretch out, but I think she can be on a Thousand Guineas path.”
Trainer Phillip Stokes was also full of praise after watching Ferivia graduate from a debut win at Murray Bridge to a Group 3 success at just her third start. While thrilled with the performance, he admitted distance queries remain. “Is she a sprinter, is she going to get up further in trip? When we get to 1400 metres, that usually sorts them out, so we’ll see how she pulls up and make a plan,” Stokes said.