The $350,000 Group II SAJC Adelaide Cup (3200m) on Monday was the highlight race run at Morphettville before a bumper long weekend holiday crowd and punters were served up a treat with two tough stayers clearing out from the field fight out an epic battle.
There were only two in the race over the final furlongs with the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained Kiwi bred American Wolf scoring a last stride win over the gallant Highland Bling (IRE) from the Phillip Stokes yard.
A four year-old son of Tivaci, American Wolf proved his stamina last April when winning the Listed VRC St Ledger at 2800m and was dogged to the line for Jett Stanley to win by a head.
Natalie Young was on track and thrilled to get the win having planned this race as the Grand Final for American Wolf.
American Wolf was a $110,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase from Waikato Stud for Busuttin Racing and has won three of 16 starts earning over $416,000 in prizemoney.
American Wolf is a half-brother to Group III winner Zee Falls and is the second stakes-winner among three winners from winning Zabeel mare Zelitist, a half-sister to Group I winner Warhorse with family also procuring this season’s juvenile stakes-winner Calamari Ring.
