First Stakes-Winner for Ill-Fated Ferlax

Media Release - Tuesday January 1

Matamata filly Imelda Mary caused a minor upset when she dashed away from her age-group rivals to take out the Group II Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Tuesday.

Imelda Mary - Trish DunnellThe nuggety Ferlax three-year-old was stepping up from a maiden victory over 1600m at her last-start although she had hinted she was more than comfortable in black-type company with a gritty fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) back in November.

Given a perfect trip in midfield by rider Cameron Lammas, Imelda Mary sprinted quickly to the front early in the run home as she put a winning break on her nearest chaser.

Awapuni visitor Secret Allure and the well fancied Luminous tried hard however Imelda Mary was too strong as she held out all challenges to score by just over a length at the line.

The win held special significance for trainer Wayne Hillis, who was trying hard to keep his emotions in check as he waited for his charge to return to the winner's enclosure.

"It's very special," Hillis said.

"This filly is named after my mum, so it's unbelievable.

"I've been in racing all my life and had some good thrills, but this is right up there."

Advertisement

Whilst Hillis has Imelda Mary nominated for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 16, he is leaning towards a richer target back at Ellerslie later this month as her next assignment.

"She's in the Oaks as that is her main target, but I'll freshen her up and have a go at the Karaka Million (3YO 1600m) as she is eligible for that," he said.

"It's a mile, so whether that is far enough, or she wants to keep going further, we've got to have a go.

"I was pretty confident (today) but you can't be over confident in these big races. Just with the way she was running on, definitely we were confident."

FerlaxThe Ferlax filly was a bargain buy for her trainer, with Hillis purchasing her out of Haunui Farm's 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Festival Yearling Sale draft for $3,500. She is the first stakes-winner for Australian Guineas winner Ferlax, who died prematurely at Haunui Farm in 2017.

The Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) will be run at Ellerslie on January 26.

The Royal Stakes is the fifth event in the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series with Imelda Mary taking out the eight points on offer. The series is currently led by 1000 Guineas winner Media Sensation on 12 points with Imelda Mary, Pinmedown and Queen Of Diamonds tied in second on 8 points. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Winx Half-Sister Wins G3 Hawkesbury Crown
The Winx family has been on fire this autumn producing a flurry of new stakes-winners led by Group I winner Gringotts and Group II winners Enriched and Vegas Queen with a fourth emerging on Saturday when blue-blood mare City of Lights captured the $250,000 Group III Hawkesbury Crown (1300m).
$1.1million Fastnet Filly a New SW for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
Tara Talks Racing podcast listeners would have taken notice of the Listed SAJC Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday featuring $1.1million Fastnet Rock filly On Display.
So You Think He’s Tough- Punch Lane Wins G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Backing up for a third Saturday in a row, super fit So You Think gelding Punch Lane booked his place in the $3million Big Dance later this year when leading all the way to win the $250,000 Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
Deep Field's Depth Of Character Takes The Queensland Guineas
Deep Field three-year-old Depth Of Character has opened the path to a potential Group I Stradbroke Handicap tilt after winning the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Libertad Back To Winning Form in G2 Victory Stakes
It had been a while between drinks but Russian Revolution stallion Libertad found his way back to winning form in the Group II Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
First Winner for Ill-Fated Ferlax
G1 Australian Guineas-winner Ferlax (NZ) (Pentire) has sired his first winner, Rare Episode, who won as he liked on debut at Gosford on Thursday with a tilt at the Karaka Million 3YO Mile a possibility.
Pride of Jenni Not for Catching at Caulfield
Caulfield has been a happy hunting ground for Pride Of Jenni in recent weeks, and the reigning Australian Horse of the Year produced another spectacular front-running performance at that venue in Saturday’s A$175,000 Listed Tile Importer Anniversary Vase (1600m).
First Stakes Winner for Cool Aza Beel
Newhaven Park’s Cool Aza Beel produced his first stakes winner when two-year-old colt Cool Archie won the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Imelda Mary (NZ) Defends Filly of the Year Series Lead in Lowland
With two Group 2 wins and 16 points already to her name, Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax) will attempt to maintain her New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series lead in Wednesday’s eighth leg – the $100,000 Group 2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings.
Femminile gives Dundeel first female G1 winner with Derby victory
Supersire Dundeel has his second G1 South Australian Derby winner and his first female G1 winner after his courageous daughter Femminile was too good for the boys at Morphettville this afternoon in the time honoured 2500m Classic.