Adrian Bott was relieved to see Newfoundland finally return to winning form after landing the Listed Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm.

The former European galloper had gone 476 days between wins but showed his staying quality to edge out rivals in a tight finish.

Imported after showing promise in Ireland, Newfoundland had been aimed at the Adelaide Cup last year and finished runner-up, and this latest success puts him back on track for another crack at the race.

His victory came second-up after finishing fifth at Randwick over 2000 metres in late December.

“He’s been a very honest horse for us and connections, and it is great to see him winning again,” Bott said.

“His first-up run was short of his best and that was a month ago. He seems to do well with his races spaced.

“There’s not too much of him condition-wise but he seems to appreciate that and once he can get over a bit of ground, he needs the right races and the right conditions so we’re picking our mark and today looked to be a lovely target for him.

“The Adelaide Cup has been the long term plan for him and he ran very well in it last year and was even a tough unlucky. He seems to have matured a bit and improved this time around.”

Future History set the tempo but tired late, allowing Newfoundland ($4.20) to prevail by a nose over Age Of Sail ($10), with Elliptical ($6) in third.

The Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) will be run at Morphettville on March 9.

Form students following the staying ranks can check current online bookmakers ahead of the Adelaide Cup.

The post Newfoundland gets the bob in Australia Day Cup first appeared on Just Horse Racing.