American Wolf wins thrilling Adelaide Cup

At the end of a two-horse war that lasted the length of the Morphettville straight and brought the crowd to their feet, Karaka graduate American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) came out on top in Monday’s A$350,000 Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200m).

Victorian-based expat New Zealand trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young paid $110,000 to buy American Wolf from Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where he was offered by Waikato Stud. American Wolf has now had 16 starts for three wins, five placings and A$416,585 in stakes.

Ridden in Monday’s two-mile feature by Jett Stanley, American Wolf was travelling with ominous ease coming down the side of the track and moved up alongside the leader Highland Bling (Highland Reel) at the home turn. But that rival rose to the challenge.

American Wolf and Highland Bling drew more than five lengths clear of the rest of the field down the straight, trading the lead with almost every bob of the head through a hard-fought last 200 metres. Only a nose separated them at the finish line, and it was American Wolf’s nose that got there first.

“We told the owners that this was the grand final we were aiming at all the way through the campaign, so to get here and win it is fantastic,” Young said. “Jett rode him a treat. He got the horse to relax nicely, which is what he needed. The distance was never going to be an issue as long as he relaxed and got into his rhythm.

“Jett just kept him nice and relaxed. He made a bit of a move at the 800, getting off the fence and ready to pounce three or four out.

“I wasn’t sure whether we won it at the line, but it’s fantastic that we did. It’s great for High Calibre Racing and the other owners.”

Stanley’s Cup triumph had a brief blip when he was dislodged by American Wolf after the finish line.

“The ambos were asking whether I was okay, and I said, ‘Tell me the result of the photo and I’ll tell you,’ and the limp cleared up pretty quickly when one of them said American Wolf had won,” the 21-year-old jockey said.

“I said ‘are you joking’ and then the crowd started yelling. It’s something I won’t forget.

“This horse is a proper stayer. Hopefully we can see him on the first Tuesday in November (Melbourne Cup).”

Completing an outstanding result for Waikato Stud, who bred and sold the winner, the third placegetter in Monday’s Adelaide Cup was the homebred Waikato Stud mare Hurry Curry (NZ) (Ocean Park). - New Zealand Bloodstock

China Win seeks late BMW Hong Kong Derby berth

David Hayes hopes China Win (NZ) (Super Seth) can warrant last-minute selection for the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) when he contests Wednesday night’s Class 3 Lyttelton Handicap (1800m) under Zac Purton.

Currently rated 67, China Win is aiming to emulate Beauty Alliance, who last season secured the final BMW Hong Kong Derby spot with victory in this race at Happy Valley, earning a 12-point rating rise (65 to 77) and his place in the contest, which is finalised by the selection panel, who will determine the 14-runner field later this week. 

Hayes said: “I think if he was lucky enough to win, then he’d be in the calculations to get the last spot. The horse has a good gate (three), and his trackwork and trials have been excellent.

“He’s had a bit of time between runs because he was scratched due to a heart anomaly, which was rectified straight away, so that put us a bit behind the eight ball, but he’s in good form for this race.”

The BMW Hong Kong Derby takes place at Sha Tin on 22 March, and China Win has emerged as an unlikely candidate. The Super Seth gelding took seven starts to break through, but has shown that stamina is his best asset by winning his most recent two outings over 1800m.

“His win before last was probably more eye-catching with Zac on when he came from last and barrier 14, and even the start before that he was only beaten an inch, so he’s in really good form,” Hayes said. “He’s by a sire that produces horses who get over a bit of ground. We couldn’t be happier with the way he’s progressing.”

Hayes is looking forward to unleashing Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) in the HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) on 6 April at Sha Tin, where the world’s leading sprinter goes for a record-extending 19th consecutive win.

“He did some striding work with Zac on this morning (Tuesday). Zac was very happy with him, and he ran home in around 12 and a half seconds. He’ll have a barrier trial around 10 days out from the 6th (of April). He’ll be in the Sprint Cup, then the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Gr.1, 1200m) and then his season is over,” Hayes said. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Curtain comes down on Legarto’s career

The retirement of five-time Group One winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) has been confirmed by her principal owners Philip and Catherine Brown. When the six-year-old won Saturday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) it was accepted that was her final race in this country, but the possibility remained that

NZ Racing NewsDennis Ryan

Harrison mulling next move with Moxie

Moxie (Strasbourg) gave trainer and part-owner Ken Harrison his biggest thrill in racing at Ellerslie last Saturday when recording his first stakes win in the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic (1400m), and now he is eager for more. “We are over the moon, it was a great result,

NZ Racing NewsJoshua Smith

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