For jockey Lachlan Neindorf, a Stakes triumph at Caulfield was the perfect way to mark his return to the Melbourne riding ranks. The accomplished Adelaide hoop, who relocated to Mornington late last season, was once again in the spotlight thanks to his partnership with Ferivia.

Having built his reputation as Phillip Stokes’ go-to rider in Adelaide, Neindorf has enjoyed plenty of big-race moments with the stable, and on Saturday he added another when guiding Ferivia to success in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m).

It was the second win from three rides aboard the filly for Neindorf, who also guided her to victory on debut at Murray Bridge. “Full credit to Phil and the team as she’s quite a hot filly,” Neindorf said.

“I wasn’t confident that she would be able to see out a big preparation. I thought she might taper off because she is so hot, but Phil got the pony on her at trackwork and every run that she had, she has got better and developed and matured as a professional racehorse. That’s going to take her a long way.”

Neindorf said the three-year-old may not be confined to sprint distances. “She has good qualities about her. She knows when to switch on and switch off. She listens to the rider, and I love horses that do that because they are not one dimensional. She’s got a lovely big stride on her and I always thought she had the scope to get 1400 metres to a mile, even though she is from a Street Car family that don’t normally stretch out, but I think she can be on a Thousand Guineas path.”

Trainer Phillip Stokes echoed the praise, admitting Ferivia’s rapid progression from a two-year-old debut to Group 3 winner at her third start was impressive. “Is she a sprinter, is she going to get up further in trip? When we get to 1400 metres, that usually sorts them out, so we’ll see how she pulls up and make a plan,” Stokes said.