Having placed at stakes level in three of his four starts in Melbourne last season at two, Godolphin's superbly bred Lonhro colt Encryption would have been earmarked for a spot on the Darley stallion roster when winning the Group III Black Opal Stakes in Canberra in March.
But things have not gone smoothly since and despite some notable efforts against the best of his age he had not been back in the winner's circle.
The James Cummings-trained colt righted that on Saturday in the $200,000 Group II Danehill Stakes (1200m).
Still last with 300 metres left to run, Craig Williams scythed through the field to overpower Thorondor (Fastnet Rock) by a neck with Tavisan (Tavistock) three-quarters-of-a-length away third. (photos Grant Courtney )
"He's a really cool horse and has a lovely nature about him," Cummings said.
"The team has put in a lot of work to get him to produce third up like he did last preparation
"It was really impressive to see him burst through the pack like he did although it was creative the way he got there.
"He has appreciated being ridden a bit quieter this preparation and it paid dividends today.
"We put the blinkers on and agreed that if he went well up the straight then we would give strong consideration to keeping him fresh for the Coolmore (Stud Stakes).
"We will sit down with the team on Monday like we always do and have a good think about it.
"This is a time-honoured race to win. He's a colt with a really good turn of foot. He has speed and a wonderful nature with it which allows him to keep improving as his prep unfolds."
Encryption is the first foal of outstanding racemare Guelph.
A half-sister to Group II Todman Stakes winner Ghibellines (Shamardal) whose first crop was on display at Karaka, out of the Group 1 winner Camarilla, Guelph was among the best of her generation at two and three.
The daughter of Exceed And Excel was a luckless second in the Gimcrack Stakes on debut before earning a trip down south by winning at Warwick Farm.
She duly captured the fillies division of the Blue Diamond Prelude before finishing unplaced in the Blue Diamond.
She proved that form wrong with a slashing fourth in the Golden Slipper Stakes, narrowly failing to give Exceed And Excel the trifecta after Overreach held the finish of Sidestep with the future Group 1 winner Sweet Idea in third.
Guelph went on to win the next two legs of the 2yo Triple Crown.
After downing Scandiva and Overreach in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes, she rounded out her season by winning the ATC Champagne Stakes.
In her classic season, Guelph was beaten first-up in the Furious Stakes before reeling off wins in the Tea Rose Stakes, Flight Stakes and the Thousand Guineas at Caufield.
Given a spell, Guelph returned in the spring but in three runs she was not a shadow of her old self.
Following a third in the Phat Lap Stakes, Guelph was retired to the broodmare paddocks with a record of seven wins from 14 starts with earnings of over $1.6 million and had done enough to be honoured as the Champion 3YO Filly in Australia in 2013-14.
Covered by Lonhro in her first four years at stud, Guelph had a change-up in 2017 when served by Medaglia d'Oro (USA).
Like Guelph, her dam Camarilla (Elusive Quality) won the ATC Sires' Produce Stakes while Camarilla's dam Camarena (Danehill) won the Group 1 Queensland Derby.
Camarena's sister, Watchful, is the dam of Darley's 4-time Group 1 winning Champion Sepoy who, like Camarilla, is by Elusive Quality (USA).
