Lachlan Neindorf is taking a ‘now or never approach’ into Saturday’s Gawler race meeting as he attempts to chase down Rochelle Milnes and Taylor Johnstone in the Adelaide Jockey Premiership showdown.
With four metropolitan meetings remaining this season, Neindorf sits on 36 city wins in South Australia – six behind current Premiership leader Milnes and three off Johnstone.
The 23-year-old, who doubled his Group 1 tally during this year’s Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival, has rides in eight of the nine races on Saturday.
Most of his mounts are in the market and Neindorf said if he can’t make ground on the apprentices this weekend, his hopes of winning the Premiership are all but over.
“If I am going to be a chance, this Saturday looks my time to come out and put a few on the board,” Neindorf said.
“If that does occur, I’d be gaining a little bit more confidence that I might be a chance of taking it out.
“I do need to get a wriggle on and hopefully this Saturday is the way to do it.”
Neindorf is bullish about the prospects of his three rides for trainer Phillip Stokes – he’s about race favourite Stolen Kiss in the opener, takes the reins on first starter Bargain Boy in the two-year-olds handicap and again combines with equal favourite Signs From Above later in the program.
He also has key rides for Lindsay Park, Jason Warren and the Morphettville stable of Peter and Belinda Blanch.
“I would say they (horses for Phillip Stokes) are my best chances, but Garcon Renard looks a great chance as well for Peter and Belinda Blanch.
“I really think he should’ve won last start.
“The Stokes stable have been such a great supporter of me for quite a while now which I’m very grateful for.”
Premiership aside, Neindorf said he is proud of his season to date, which has been motivated by a desire to compete at the top level in both Adelaide and Melbourne.
As well as his Group 1 win on Femminile in the SA Derby, the young jockey ran second in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning and third in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap, both times on Stretan Angel.
“I’ve always had the mindset that if it (Premiership) happens, it’s great but it’s never really been up there as my main goal, even though that sounds a bit silly,” he said.
“My goal has always been to ride in bigger races and be recognised as a top rider.
“I’ve never really felt any pressure to win the Premiership but I would love to do it for some of the people around me that have supported me along the way, like James Jordan, Darryn Murphy and my manager because I’m sure it would mean a lot to them.”
