Australian Guineas winner Ferlax needs to prove he is Cox Plate material in his early campaign performances if he is to be given his chance in the nation's premier weight-for-age contest.

Trainer Jim Conlan said Ferlax was being aimed at the Cox Plate but how he fared in traditional lead-up races would be telling.

Ferlax makes his new season return in Saturday's Group Three Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington, one of three early season races Conlan has pencilled in for the lightly-raced galloper.

"I would say by about his third run we'll know if we're heading in the right direction (for the Cox Plate)," Conlan said.

The Group One Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) are planned races for Ferlax after his first-up run on Saturday.

"By that stage we should know whether he's a Cox Plate horse or maybe whether we head to a Toorak Handicap or Epsom Handicap," Conlan said.

"Whether he's up to that (Cox Plate) I really don't know, but I do like him. He gives you a great feel as a racehorse and he's got a great attitude, so hopefully he measures up."

Ferlax did a great job last preparation winning four of his five starts, including the Group One Australian Guineas at his fourth outing, with his only defeat in the Randwick Guineas in which he finished seventh.

The son of Pentire was galloped on in the 1600m feature won by It's A Dundeel.

"It's hard to draw a line through the Australian Guineas form, that form probably didn't stack up to the Sydney form," Conlan said.

"We'll see how he goes this time."

Ferlax is one of 11 acceptors for the Aurie's Star which has attracted fellow Group One winners Luckygray and Temple Of Boom.

Last start Listed winner Riziz, who is unbeaten in two starts up the Flemington straight, has been installed favourite with TAB fixed odds at $3.20 ahead of Queensland sprinter Temple Of Boom ($3.90) and Luckygray ($5).

Ferlax is at $10 and Conlan said the entire had pleased him in his build-up but would benefit from whatever he does on Saturday.

"He's probably going into it maybe not as forward as I would have liked, but a lot of horses might be in the same boat with trials being called off," Conlan said.

"He's going to take benefit from this race going forward."