Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young celebrated a long-awaited triumph in the time-honoured VRC St Leger as American Wolf ($12) emerged victorious in a thrilling contest at Flemington.

One of the nation’s oldest races, dating back to 1857, the St Leger lived up to its reputation with American Wolf prevailing in a fierce battle with Litzdeel ($8.50), holding her at bay by a long head, with third-placed Kicking King six lengths back.

“Got a beautiful run. Just sat out the back, third last, and just relaxed nice and beautifully,” said co-trainer Natalie Young.

“John Allen just rode him an absolute treat… he was ridden more forward last start when he won at Ballarat and to come here today and do that, it means next week he’ll be ready to roll.”

Young confirmed the South Australian Derby (2500m) is the next target, providing American Wolf pulls up well.

“Definitely if he pulls up well, eats up, all the usual things, you might as well, you’re only three once. You don’t have to do much with him, he’s run 28 (hundred metres) today, he’s going to run 25 next week, so you’ve just got to tick him over basically.”

Allen, no stranger to success in Adelaide’s staying classic, offered a more cautious take.

“You’d like to think so,” he said. “He’s a horse on the up, lightly raced, he seems big and strong enough… I reckon he’ll be certainly there with a fighter’s chance.”