Femminile upstages boys in the 2025 SA Derby

Femminile delivered on her Group 1 potential in the South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville, becoming the only filly to break through in the race after backing up from last week’s Oaks.

Given a smart rails-hugging ride by Lachlan Neindorf, the daughter of Dundeel stormed home for a $19 win, defeating $3.40 betting sites elect Statuario by three-quarters of a length. Lavalier filled third, another length behind.

Neindorf, who claimed the Robert Sangster Stakes last year, was relaxed post-race, reflecting on a promise he made after that emotional breakthrough.

“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.”

The race didn’t quite unfold as initially expected, but Neindorf adapted quickly.

“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.”

Tommy Stokes, representing the stable, acknowledged the win's impact on Femminile’s post-racing future.

“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.”