Darley first-season sire Epaulette had his first Australian success when Katy’s Daughter brilliantly won the Aquis Farm Ladies Day Hcp (900m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The Steven O’Dea-trained filly placed herself under consideration for the $2 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic at the same track on January 13.

Katy’s Daughter is out of the Listed winner Kiss Me Katy – both mother and daughter are homebreds for Joe Rapisarda.  Kiss Me Katy helped put O’Dea on the map as a rising young star in Queensland’s training ranks when she claimed the LR Sir Douglas Wadley Stakes in 2009.

“Kiss Me Katy’s had four foals now and I think Katy’s Daughter is the best of them,” O’Dea said after his filly stormed home at the Gold Coast.  “She is going to relish 1200 metres and maybe a little bit further.  She will do us proud at the Magic Millions.”

Epaulette, who had 22 winners from his first European crop, shuttles between NSW and Darley’s Kildangan Stud roster in Ireland.

A son of Commands, he impressed from the moment he stepped onto the racecourse to win at Rosehill on Boxing Day 2011.  Given an 11 week break, he returned to claim the LR Black Opal and was then only beaten a nose by Pierro in the G2 Todman Stakes.

Returning as a three year-old, he took the G1 Golden Rose in record time then stretched his speed out to a mile to be placed behind champion colts All Too Hard and Pierro in a high-class running of the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

Back in autumn action, he was beaten three lengths by Black Caviar in the G1 T J Smith prior to grabbing his second Group 1 in the G1 Doomben 10,000.

Epaulette is by Darley champion Commands and his dam Accessories has also foaled rising sires Helmet (Exceed And Excel) and Bullbars (Elusive Quality).

EPAULETTE