Talented jockey Lachlan Neindorf is returning home hoping to reignite his riding career.
A star in his first season in the saddle, Neindorf took SA racing’s apprentice ranks by storm and finished fifth in the Adelaide Jockey Premiership in the 2019-20 season.
A successful SA carnival, which included a Listed win aboard Bella Vella and landing a Group 1 Goodwood ride aboard Zoutori, saw Neindorf make the move to Victoria where he has experienced mixed success.
He was starved of riding opportunities which saw him move from the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable and join Lindsay Smith, but said the time was right to come back to Adelaide.
“It’s with mixed emotions,’’ Neindorf said of his return.
“I really love where I live (Mornington) and the lifestyle, but it’s got to that point where I had to make the decision and really make the most of my last year of my apprenticeship.
“Victoria is cut-throat, the riding ranks are very strong, and we’ve seen it recently with Campbell Rawiller coming to Adelaide and getting opportunities.
“I just want to make the most of my two-kilogram claim while it’s there,’’ he said.
Neindorf will again be based at Morphettville but this time under the guidance of Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle and he kicks off his homecoming at Port Lincoln on Wednesday.
He has a full book of rides, five for leading trainer Darryl Carrison including Bramfield in the Kimba Cup and two for Dennis McMahon.
“It’s tough leaving a lot of people who I call family who have been so good to me in Victoria, but I’m also looking forward to coming back to Adelaide,’’ Neindorf said.
“I’ve got a big book of rides on Wednesday and hopefully I can grab a couple of nice rides at Oakbank on the weekend,’’ he said.
