Trainer Phillip Stokes has notched consecutive victories in the South Australian Derby at Morphettville, repeating last year’s feat with Femminile at $19 via another big-priced contender.
Wigmore, his second start for the dual-state handler, stunned at $41 in the Saturday 2518m three-year-old showdown.
Teo Nugent claimed his second Group 1 aboard the gelding, who nipped VRC Oaks champ Strictly Business ($12) by a short head, as Autumn Mystery ($31) was half a length back in third spot.
Wigmore entered Stokes’ fold three weeks post his fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie March 7, debuting locally in last week’s Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville.
Seventh then, the gelding advanced notably by Derby time, staying put at Stokes’ Morphettville after Melbourne tuning.
Stokes shared that Terry Henderson of OTI pushed for selling 25 per cent shares in Wigmore, achieved swiftly with known parties.
Number nine in Group 1s for Stokes, who holds off on further elite raids with Wigmore presently.
"We just brought him along slowly. He’s very clean winded and a big thanks to OTI," Stokes said.
"They’re massive supporters. We’ve won this race twice with them and we’ve had a few Group 1 winners now.
"We’re getting up there, Group 1 winners wise. They’re very important. It’s good for everyone and there’s a lot of good owners in this.
"It’s a great result."
The Queensland Derby (2400m) in Brisbane next month looks off the table, Stokes opined.
"He’s done an amazing job after being up for so long," Stokes said.
"We may have a Melbourne Cup horse on our hands."
Suspension kept Lachlan Neindorf out, handing the gig to Nugent, per Stokes.
Neindorf logged key sessions on Wigmore at Pakenham and floated ownership idea to his father for the champ.
Having met Stokes at 12, Nugent kidded about future apprenticeship plans.
"I went over to Ireland to learn how to ride horses and for whatever reason, it didn’t work out and I went to Ciaron Maher instead," Nugent said.
"It’s good to team up with Phil and get a Group 1 winner behind us.
"He was always super throughout my apprenticeship, and he would always chuck me on in town.
"Just of late, I’ve been coming over to Adelaide, warming up for the season and to get a Group 1 win, it’s a massive thrill.
"Phil had this horse trained to the minute. This is his first campaign and to be in work for six months, he tipped me off when I got on, he was feeling super well.
"He’s a typical Kiwi mudlover, he got through that track, no worries at all, so it’s onwards and upwards for him, for sure."
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