It took 476 days, but Adrian Bott was delighted to see former import Newfoundland return to the winner’s stall in the Listed Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm, albeit by the narrowest of margins.

The son of Japanese sire Deep Impact did enough early in his career in Ireland to convince Lloyd and Nick Williams to bring him to Australia with staying races in mind.

That path nearly paid off last year when he finished runner-up in the Adelaide Cup, and this victory now sets the seven-year-old up for another crack in March.

The win came second-up, following a fifth over 2000 metres at Randwick on December 27.

“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 led but faded late, while Newfoundland ($4.20), ridden by Tim Clark, edged out Age Of Sail with Elliptical third.

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