Ferlax (NZ) climbed through the grades with wins at Echuca, Benalla and Sale before reaching the summit in the G1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Ferlax (3c Pentire – Leg’s Akimbo by Marscay) was bred by Rich Hill Stud and was purchased by Cambridge agent Dean Hawthorne for $180,000 at the 2011 NZB Karaka Sale.  He bought the colt on behalf of leading Melbourne owner Jonathon Munz.

The Australian Guineas was thrown wide open when odds-on favourite All Too Hard was withdrawn with a cold on Saturday morning.  “It’s a shame for the All Too Hard team that they couldn’t run,” trainer Jim Conlan said.  “But we did and I think we have a very good, very exciting horse.”

Ferlax raced on the pace before railing up to defeat NZ bred filly You’re So Good (Savabeel) and Sheer Talent (Redoute’s Choice).  The unbeaten colt will be freshened up for the G1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 27.

Pentire has now sired 12 Group 1 winners from his Rich Hill base and his latest is a son of Legs Akimbo, an unraced daughter of LR Adelaide Lord Mayor’s Mile winner Leggings (Tights).

Legs Akimbo was initially sold as a broodmare prospect for $34,000 at the 2006 Inglis Easter broodmare sale.  Her value had dipped to just $800 by the time she was offered again at the 2012 NZB National Sale.

Purchased by Long Acres Stud owner Deborah Clark, she foaled an Any Suggestion filly last October.  Clark bred the 12 year-old mare back to Remind (Deputy Minister) who stands at her South Island based stud in Canterbury.

– Karl Patterson