Darley trainer Peter Snowden has put his star sprinter Sepoy on the same pedestal as super stars Octagonal and Lonhro, each of whom won ten Group 1s.
Paul Snowden who looks after the team in Melbourne said that his father rated Sepoy as one of the best horses we have ever trained.
Peter Snowden was foreman for John Hawkes when Octagonal and Lonhro were winning multiple Group 1s and both of their deeds are legendary including Cox Plates, Australian Cups and Derbys and a host of others.
Sepoy who is a winner of ten of his eleven starts including four Group 1s, is resuming tomorrow in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield and will get a chance to prove Snowden right.
The Elusive Quality colt will have to set a new weight carrying record for three year olds if he is to lump 58kgs to victory at his first run since winning the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Derby Day last year.
Outstanding colt Fastnet Rock holds the record for three year olds for the 2005 Oakleigh Plate when he carried 57kgs to victory.
Sepoy also has to overcome a widest barrier which won’t make the job any easier but Snowden is confident his super colt has enough ability to overcome that.
“There’s not much you can do about it – it’s all systems go,” Snowden said.
“He looks in superb order, his work was as sharp as I’ve ever seen him and he looks great,” he said. “It wouldn’t be on the score of fitness.”
Sepoy is set to travel to Dubai after the Oakleigh Plate to contest the $US2 million Golden Shaheen (1200m) at Meydan during the World Cup carnival.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy hasn’t quite put Sepoy on top of the pedestal yet and will wait until he sees what unfolds at Caulfield tomorrow.
“We’re really pleased with how he is in himself but we’re going to find out how good he is having to carry the 58kgs,” McEvoy said.
“It’s a stiff weight and has to break a few records to win.”
Promising four year old Bel Sprinter is stepping up to Group 1 for the first time and looks the one of the toughest for Sepoy to beat.
Bel Sprinter has only 54kgs and has drawn a favourable barrier at five and is coming off an impressive first up win at Caulfield three weeks ago in the Listed $100,000 United Arab Emirates Stakes over 1000m.
