Darley sire Elusive Quality is reaping the rewards of the E.I. shut-out in 2007.  The Gone West sire covered 173 mares while Darley’s European shuttle stallions were stranded at the Eastern Creek quarantine facility.

The benefits of that full book are already evident and leading the way is brilliant colt Sepoy who blitzed his rivals in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Caulfield on Wednesday.

Sepoy (2c Elusive Quality – Watchful by Danehill) has been promoted to $6 favouritism for the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes next month after a three lengths victory first-up on Australia Day.  He was returning to action after a debut win in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington in October.

“He’s a quality horse and had it won a long way out,” trainer Peter Snowden said.  “I wasn’t sure of the quality he beat at Flemington but all you can do is win.  He’s pleased us no end since he’s been back in work and there’s plenty of improvement to come.”

Snowden is keen on the prospects of the Elusive Quality youngsters he has on the books this season.  ”He picked up a lot of Darley’s good mares in 2007.  I’ve got four or five of them at home and they all look smart.”

Elusive Quality sired Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass in North America and G1 Prix Morny winner Elusive City in Europe.

He hasn’t returned to these shores since 2008 after a lacklustre start to his Australian stud career.  His only southern bred Group 1 winner to date has been 2007 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Camarilla.  A Woodlands homebred, Camarilla won the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude before graduating to the elite level at Randwick.

Sepoy is a brother-in-blood to Camarilla.  His dam Watchful is a sister to G1 Queensland Derby winner Camarena (Danehill) whose four winners to date include Camarilla.