Oliver Tait, the Darley general manager in Australia, was asked by a journalist in mid-July, "Is he or isn't he coming now that Smarty Jones has made him such a hot property?"

Tait said simply, "As far as I am aware he is coming and bookings have been very strong for him."

Elusive Quality ended weeks of speculation when he touched down in Sydney with stablemates E Dubai   (Mr. Prospector-Words of War, by Lord At War) and Street Cry (Machiavellian-Helen Street, by Troy).

Elusive Quality, who was produced from the Hero's Honor mare Touch of Greatness, began his Southern Hemisphere stud career at Darley in Australia last year at a hefty AUST$75,000 (approximately $49,800). He received great mares, and he'll service an even better band of mares this time around while standing for AUST$55,000 ($38,700 and including GST). After completing a two-week quarantine, the trio will move to the Hunter Valley to commence their Aussie season.

This year's total of 25 stallions shuttling from North America to either Australia or New Zealand is one more than last year's total. Among those making the trip again are Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr. Prospector-Angel Fever, by Danzig) and Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat-Mariah's Storm, by Rahy) from Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., and Orientate   (Mt. Livermore-Dream Team, by Cox's Ridge) from Gainesway Farm near Lexington.

Coolmore Stud stallion High Chaparral, who was expected to shuttle, is staying home. Without giving a specific reason, the Irish farm announced that High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells-Kasora, by Darshaan) experienced a "minor setback at the end of the recent breeding season." The farm release said the dual European classic winner "is expected to return to normal service in Ireland next year and then be able to shuttle to Australia in 2005." By Ric Chapman

North America/Australiasia Shuttle Stallions for 2004

From North America to Australia:

Stallion--N.A. Location--Australia Location
Belong to Me--Lane's End (Ky.)--Widden
Brahms--Vinery (Ky.)--Vinery
Century City--Wintergreen (Ky.)--Newlands T'breds
E Dubai--Darley at Jonabell (Ky.)--Darley
Elusive Quality--Gainsborough (Ky.)--Darley
Fusaichi Pegasus--Ashford (Ky.)--Coolmore
Giant's Causeway--Ashford (Ky.)--Coolmore
High Yield--Ashford (Ky.)--Coolmore
Hold That Tiger--Ashford (Ky.)--Collingrove
Hussonet--Vinery (Ky.)--Arrowfield
Johannesburg--Ashford (Ky.)--Coolmore
Joyeux Danseur--Lakeview (Calif.)--Wattle Brae
King Cugat--Lane's End (Ky.)--Widden Stud
More Than Ready--Vinery (Ky.)--Vinery
Mr. Henrysee--Domino (Ky.)--Kooringal
Orientate--Gainesway (Ky.)--Arrowfield
Rhythm--Diamond F (Calif.)--Baerami T'breds
Royal Academy--Ashford (Ky.)--Coolmore
Seeking Greatness--Diamond F (Calif.)--Baerami T'breds
Street Cry--Darley at Jonabell (Ky.)--Darley
Tale of the Cat--Ashford (Ky.)--Coolmore

From North America to New Zealand

Stallion--N.A. Location--New Zealand Location
Black Minnaloushe--Ashford (Ky.)--Windsor Park
Storm Creek--Rancho San Miguel (Calif.)--Stoney Bridge
Stravinsky--Ashford (Ky.)--Cambridge
Van Nistelrooy--Ashford (Ky.)--Trelawney