For the second consecutive year, trainer Phillip Stokes, who operates in dual states, has triumphed in the South Australian Derby at Morphettville aboard a surprise outsider.
Following Femminile’s victory at $19 odds last year, Wigmore, on only his second start under Stokes’ guidance, triumphed at $41 in the 2518m feature for three-year-olds held on Saturday.
The win marked the second elite-level success for jockey Teo Nugent, as Wigmore edged out VRC Oaks winner Strictly Business ($12) by a short head, while Autumn Mystery ($31) finished third, a half-length further back.
Wigmore joined Stokes’ stable just three weeks prior, after placing fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on March 7, and he made his initial appearance for the new handler in the Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville the previous Saturday.
The gelding placed seventh in that race, and Stokes noted significant progress from the prior week to the big day, with the horse remaining at the trainer’s Morphettville facility after his Melbourne preparation for the Derby.
Stokes mentioned that OTI manager Terry Henderson requested he offload 25 per cent ownership in Wigmore, which the trainer successfully arranged with some acquaintances, yielding quick rewards.
This marked Stokes’ ninth Group 1 victory, and for now, there are no further top-tier targets lined up for Wigmore.
"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."
Stokes indicated that heading to Brisbane for the Queensland Derby (2400m) later this month seems improbable.
"He’s done an amazing job after being up for so long," Stokes said.
"We may have a Melbourne Cup horse on our hands."
Stokes explained that Nugent stepped in after Lachlan Neindorf was sidelined by suspension.
He noted Neindorf had handled much of the early training on Wigmore upon arrival at the Pakenham stable, and the jockey had recommended his father join the ownership group for the Derby victor.
Nugent revealed he had known Stokes since age 12 and humorously recalled aspiring to become the trainer’s apprentice one day.
"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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