Lachlan Neindorf will miss Melbourne Cup Day after Racing Victoria stewards suspended him for 10 meetings over a careless riding charge from the Caulfield Cup.
Stewards finalised the inquiry into Neindorf’s ride on Starford on Saturday, a week after the race, Racing.com reported. Neindorf pleaded guilty to the charge.
His suspension starts on Sunday 1 November and runs until Monday 9 November, ruling him out of Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 3 November. He can still ride on Derby Day this Saturday.
What the stewards found
The charge relates to an incident early in the 2400m race. According to the stewards’ report, as quoted by Yahoo Sport Australia, Neindorf “pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding… in that near the 2100m he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Ohope Wins, which was tightened for room and lost its rightful running”.
The report added: “L Neindorf had his licence to ride in races suspended for a total of 10 race meetings, with the period to commence on Sunday 1 November 2026 and to expire on Monday 9 November 2026.
“Accordingly, L Neindorf will be able to return to ride on Tuesday 10 November 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of his guilty plea, record, that the incident was in the low-range category and the RV Feature Race Penalty guidelines.”
Read more: Kingswood Wins Caulfield Cup 2026 for Gavin Bedggood and John Allen
Separate from the fatal fall
The penalty is not connected to the fall later in the race. In a separate stewards’ report released on 19 October, stewards said Half Yours fell near the 300m after being tightened for room, and Ohope Wins, which was trailing, was brought down when unable to avoid the fallen horse.
Ohope Wins could not be saved. Stewards said they could not attribute that incident to the careless actions of any one rider, and no action was taken against the jockeys involved.
Read more: 2026 Caulfield Cup Review: What The Jockeys Said
A tough year on suspensions
It is another setback for the 24-year-old, who served a total of 32 meetings across three suspensions handed down in a five-day period earlier this year. Speaking to Punters in April, as quoted by Yahoo, he said he was “definitely feeling the pinch” and was looking forward to a break.
Neindorf is free to return to riding on Tuesday 10 November.
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