iRACE caught up with Neindorf ahead of the spring to discuss his outstanding season, the move to Melbourne and his ambitions for the major carnival.
You finished last season with 110 winners from 774 rides. What did that consistency teach you about managing your workload and staying sharp across such a long season?
It was hard to find a balance to start off with, my workload was high and I was probably running with the tank on empty some race days. Once I was able to find that balance through my manager, having my form man James, a valet and even a driver to and from the races ultimately made me be able to perform at my best race day over a long season.
Your move from South Australia to Victoria was designed to create more opportunities. How different do you feel as a rider now compared with when you first made that move?
I feel a massive difference as a rider now compared to 12 months ago, I think that has come from riding everyday also. More practice in a way, I’ve been able to challenge myself to get better every day to be able to compete with the best over here, that competition doesn’t go away and it never gets any easier, it’s driven me to fine tune myself as a rider.
You have already enjoyed Group 1 success with Phillip Stokes. What makes that relationship work so well, and how important could it be during the spring?
I’d say a combination of a few things, we’re both pretty up front no beating around the bush sort of people, I think we both admire hard work and being able to know each individual horse. I know his horses I feel better than any other jockey and those one percenters are going to make an impact for us this spring.
After such a strong season, are you now able to be more selective with your rides and focus on horses that could develop into major carnival contenders?
I’ve definitely noticed we’ve been offered a larger spread of rides from a number of leading trainers in comparison to when I first moved over from Adelaide. Ultimately riding for those bigger stables, you have a good chance of finding the top-class horses, sometimes it can be hard to pick one in a race come crunch time but it’s not a bad position to be in.
What part of your riding has improved most over the past 12 months, whether it is race positioning, judging tempo, strength in a finish or reading a race beforehand?
I’d definitely say my pre-race knowledge and being able to dissect a race both before and after the race has been run and won to both trainers and owners has improved. I feel as sharp as I’ve ever been in my career. Split second decisions can be everything and I feel more often than not I’m pulling the right rein.
You have shown that your feedback can help trainers unlock improvement in a horse. How involved do you like to be in the development of a horse away from race day?
Great question, I love the process that involves a horse getting to the races. The more involvement and knowledge I can have of that horse before I sit in it race day the better. It makes getting the result race day sweeter.
