Femminile made the most of her quick turnaround from the Oaks to claim a valuable win in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday, handing trainer Phillip Stokes a major result.

Ridden with perfect timing by Lachlan Neindorf, the filly stayed tucked to the inside rail and pounced late, surging to a three-quarter length victory at $19 odds over $3.40 betting sites favourite Statuario. Lavalier, at $6.50, finished a further length back in third.

Neindorf, who scored his maiden Group 1 on Climbing Star last year, was composed in the aftermath this time around.

“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.”

Tracking Statuario early, Neindorf switched to improvisation mid-race, navigating the tight rail path with precision.

“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.”

Assistant trainer Tommy Stokes praised Femminile’s rise in value and noted her impending sale.

“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.”