American Wolf outstays rivals to win Adelaide Cup

Co-trainers Natalie Young and Trent Busuttin have secured their first Adelaide Cup with American Wolf delivering on his early staying promise in the Group 2 race over 3200m.

American Wolf ($20) got a photo decision over Highland Bling ($4.80) in a result that kept jockey Jett Stanley guessing in an unconventional return to scale.

Stanley parted company with the four-year-old as they headed back to the enclosure, and it was left to trackside medical personnel to confirm the victory.

“The ambos asked if I was OK, and I said ‘tell me the result of the photo and I’ll tell you how I’m feeling’,” Stanley said.

Winner of the VRC St Leger last year, American Wold campaigned through the summer months with the intention of contesting the Cup.

“This was always the horse’s grand final (but) we were little worried he wasn’t going to get into the race with his rating,” Young said.