Ferlax ... wins the Australian Guineas after All Too Hard is scratched. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited
Jockey Stephen Baster celebrated his enforced return home after being exiled from Singapore with a classic ride to win the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington.
The smiling jockey, still bewildered by his abrupt marching orders, was stoked when he steered Ferlax to victory in the $500,000 race, while in places unknown regular rider Daniel Stackhouse was cursing a huge disappointment.
Stackhouse has ridden the Jim Conlan-trained Pentire colt in his other three career starts, winning them all at Echuca in November before Benalla and Sale en route to yesterday's stunning win.
Stackhouse, who only three weeks ago won his first Group 3 race, missed the ride because he was suspended during the week in Launceston.
Baster jumped aboard the Jonathan Munz colt with the huge potential, and put his name in headlights after only several weeks back in town.
In the absence of the dominant pre-race favourite All Too Hard, who was scratched because of an elevated temperature, Ferlax started at $17 and, courtesy of a super rails run from the home turn by Baster, held on to defeat the fast-finishing You're So Good ($9.50) by a half length with on-pacer Sheer Talent ($9) sticking on stoutly three quarters of a length away.
Conlan was overawed with the success in such a high-profile race, but not by the huge effort from his charge.
"I galloped him on Tuesday and put the blinkers on and he gave me a great feel," Conlan said.
Baster admitted he wasn't sure about the addition of blinkers, but happily conceded: "That's why he's the trainer and I'm the jockey."
Conlan said that Ferlax is "a very exciting horse" who may now look to Sydney for the All-Aged Stakes or to Brisbane for the Stradbroke Handicap.
"We must be careful where we place him. He has a nice pedigree and he has now won a stallion-making race."
Conlan said he was disappointed for Stackhouse.
"It is unfortunate for him because he has been with the horse all along, but when he was suspended I had no hesitation engaging Stephen," he said.
They have combined for many winners together over the years, before Baster went to Singapore to finish second in the premiership last year before given his marching orders only weeks into this season.
"I couldn't be happier," Baster said. "So many people have welcomed me back and to win a Group 1 so soon is great."
The runner-up, You're So Good, made a sustained run from the turn but Baster's rails run which saved so much ground was telling.
Sheer Talent, who was beautifully guided from barrier 15 to be second by Michael Rodd when the field settled, was tenacious.
Hvasstan ($15) ran home from the rear to finish fourth in an excellent exhibition, with Philippin by his side all the way.
The $6.50 favourite, Albrecht, suffered interference and never threatened.
All Too Hard was a raging favourite to win his third consecutive Group 1 race before his shock scratching.
However, Wayne Hawkes reported the colt had an elevated temperature this morning and no chances would be taken with the invaluable prospective sire.
"He ate up and looked terrific. But we took his temperature and it was a bit high, so we weren't prepared to risk running him. Basically he has a cold," Wayne Hawkes said.
"We have a lot in front of him and it is not worth the risk. I'm sure tomorrow he will be absolutely fine."
Hawkes said there were "a stack of options" for All Too Hard during the Sydney autumn carnival.
Those options are likely to include the Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Mile.
All Too Hard was the $1.33 pre-post favourite for the Guineas off the back of two impressive wins at weight-for-age.
