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In-form SA runners descend on Flemington

Jamie Kah and Lachie Neindorf will partner up with two in-form South Australians at Flemington today.

Kah will link with the Phillip Stokes-trained Octane, who returns to Melbourne after winning five of six starts in SA, while young gun Lachie Neindorf will partner in-form staying mare Bertwhistle, who has won three of her past four starts.

Octane has been a revelation for the Stokes stable and Adelaide foreman Tommy Stokes said the horse – marked a $2.90 favourite with tab.com.au – had travelled back to their Pakenham stable in good order.

“All the reports are he’s settled in well back in Pakenham,” Stokes said.

“He’s obviously familiar with things over there, he prepped there before he first come to SA and we’re really excited to see what he can do.”

Stokes said his sole concern was Octane having only two weeks between runs, believing the horse is superior when able to enjoy a three-week space between his races.

“We deliberately keep him as fresh as possible,” Stokes said.

“He’s basically only had one gallop since his last win, he’s just worked off the pony since then.

“We like to keep him fat and fresh. If you have a good look at him he looks like a horse who would be first-up, not fourth up, he carries his condition (so) well.”

And he said the horse would have no issues racing down the Flemington straight for the first time.

“Everything he’s done here sectional time wise should see him measure-up pretty well,” Stokes said.

“Obviously the straight is going to be different but I’m sure he’ll handle it.”

COVID-19 restrictions mean Jamie Kah replaces Kayla Crowther, who would have headed over if interstate travel were possible.

“Kayla has done a great job with him,” Stokes said.

“His owner, Ken McDonald, is a big fan of Kayla as a rider and she would have gone over if she could have but we get Jamie and we know just good she is.”

Bertwhistle is marked a $7 chance at her return to Flemington where she’s been placed twice previously.

Another rising star of the saddle Will Price will also be in action at Flemington again, riding Winning Partner for Tony and Calvin McEvoy after the pair were narrowly beaten at Moonee Valley last weekend.

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