Lachlan Neindorf is unconcerned by the wide draw for Stretan Angel at Moonee Valley as the South Australian-based rider chases a second Group 1 victory.
Neindorf won the Sangster Stakes at Morphettville last April aboard the Phillip Stokes-trained Climbing Star and will be aboard that mare’s stablemate Stretan Angel in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
Stretan Angel galloped at The Valley on Tuesday morning with Neindorf giving the mare the green light to start on Saturday.
In her 15-start career to date, Stretan Angel has raced on only three tracks – nine times up the straight at Flemington, five times at Morphettville and once at Randwick.
Neindorf said Stretan Angel handled her first trip to Moonee Valley without a problem.
“We were first out on the track,” Neindorf said.
“We were able to trot back to the top of the straight. She led up the gallop and was able to have a good look around and take it all in and focus on the surroundings.
“She relaxed well, changed leads at the right time and got around that track really well, I thought.”
Stretan Angel has been knocking on the door of Group 1 success.
She chased home Skybird first-up in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) before finishing third to Joliestar in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Stretan Angel also ran second in The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville last May.
“She’s been very consistent and all that she needs to tick off now is to win one,” Neindorf said.
“Drawing out wide should suit. We can take our medicine and come back a little bit and if the swoopers are coming into it, like they can do at Moonee Valley, the camber helps them, and the way she cornered, I’m sure she’ll be able to handle it race day and be in the finish.
“In the Newmarket she got in amongst them and got a little bit keen.
“She likes fresh air as she can get a little claustrophobic, so in that sense she is a little tricky to ride, but she has an explosive turn of foot when you ask her, but to use that turn of foot she needs to do everything right in the run.”
Neindorf is based in Adelaide but will head to Melbourne whenever he gets the call from Stokes, especially for a Group 1 performer like Stretan Angel.
“I did all her gallops from the Lightning into the Newmarket, and I’ve now ridden her twice in races and the gallop was the first time I’ve been on her since,” Neindorf said.
“Every time I ride her, I learn a little more.
“I’ve got a lot of time for her.”
