The wheel can turn rapidly – and with a sense of irony – in thoroughbred racing.
Take Lachy Neindorf’s past fortnight.
At Morphettville on April 4 the star apprentice managed to fulfil all his riding commitments, despite clipping heels and half-falling/half-jumping from a mount mid-meeting.
Seven days later, he benefited from the misfortune of star SA hoop Todd Pannell, whose tumble in race 4 at Morphettville Parks on Saturday saw him stood down for the rest of the meeting, including the Listed Hills Railway Stakes (1000m) and his ride on favourite Bella Vella.
Lachy stepped in at short notice to ride trainer Will Clarken’s speedy mare and the pairing romped to an easy victory – the 18-year-old apprentice’s first at Black Type level.
“I was about to head out for the race before Bella Vella’s race when the stewards came in and said ‘Are you all right to ride Bella Vella in the next?’,” Lachie said.
“I said yes and I was thrilled straight away, because I thought ‘This might be my first Listed winner’.
“But it was an odd feeling because obviously there was no preparation that went into it and it was the feature event of the day. I didn’t even know what barrier she had initially.
“And I didn’t want to get too far ahead of myself, thinking that it would definitely happen.
“But after the race all the emotions hit me at once, including excitement.”
Will was more than happy with his replacement rider for Bella Vella last Saturday.
“There’s lot of similarities between Lachie and Todd,” Will told Racing.com this week.
“I think they both ride… on a long rein and they’re very calm.
“(Lachy) didn’t let the occasion get to him. He just took it in his stride and rode the horse beautifully.”
Last Saturday’s Listed Hills Railway Stakes win – the middle leg of a treble for the first-year apprentice – was Lachy’s seventh ride at Listed level. His previous best result was a third on $41 shot Jackthegiantslayer in the Listed Birthday Cup at Morphettville on February 15, behind Master Chum.
Given coronavirus-related border restrictions and conditions are set to put a handbrake on the number of high-profile Victorian and NSW jockeys in action at the 2020 Adelaide Autumn Carnival, Lachy hopes to taste more Black Type success over the coming month.
It could start tomorrow, when he will ride in at least one, and possibly two Black Type races – including his first Group 3.
Lachy will ride Lunar Light for Will in the Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m) and has also been booked for the Hayes-Hayes-Dabernig runner Walking Flying, which is first emergency in the Group 3 Schweppervescence Stakes (registered as the Auraria Stakes) for 3YO fillies over 1800m.
Meanwhile Will said Bella Vella could run in the Group 1 TAB Classic (registered as the Sangster Stakes) at Morphettville on Saturday, May 2.
He conceded while the 1200m could be a “concern” her sparkling recent run made it worthy of close consideration.
“You only get one chance at these sort of races,” he told Racing.com. “She’s against her own sex and she’s in terrific form.”
