Lane helps to add Weir to record books

South West jockey Damian Lane claimed one of the biggest victories of his career by riding Leicester to a win in the $600,000 UBET South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphetville on Saturday.

Lane rode the pre-race favourite to the win by almost one-and-a-half lengths, giving trainer Darren Weir his third-straight South Australian Derby title.

Leicester’s ($4) win put Weir in illustrious company, with Bart Cummings the only other trainer to achieve the rare feat.

The victory was the three-year-old gelding’s second in-a-row and fourth from nine starts.

Lane had ridden Leicester for his past two starts, with both victories coming over more than 2000m.

Weir told reporters after the race that Lane rode Leicester “absolutely perfect” and that he had him in the right position until the final 200m, where he took control of the race.

The South Australian Derby win was not Lane’s only victory for the day, with the 24-year-old riding Weir’s Camdus ($5.50) across the line first in the $100,000 Jeanneret Wines Handicap (1200m).

It was the six-year-old gelding’s seventh victory from 19 starts and first with Lane in the saddle.

Lane will take ride today in Sale, Victoria, before heading to Sandown for six races.