Handy four-year-old Wolfy appreciated a change of approach by trainer Nick Ryan as he relished getting back to the Flemington straight six to land the VRC Summer Fun Sprint (1200m) under Ethan Brown.

The son of Tivaci is a brother to NZB Kiwi contender Sought After and raced furthest from the outside rail where the majority of his rivals plotted a path.

“He has been a frustrating horse,” stable representative Damian Kefford said.

“We have always had a high opinion of him. He ran in a Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at three and he has come back and we have probably placed him at some unsuitable tracks.

“Nick decided to freshen him up, blinkers on up the straight where he has had a run here first up and ran really well and it has worked well again today.

“The idea was to get him to jump with the blinkers on. He stepped half awkward but he got him into a nice rhythm and Ethan’s idea was just to build into the race and he was able to do that beautifully up the inside.

“When he was creeping into it I really thought he was going to be strong late having had those runs at 1400m previously.”

Ryan purchased Wolfy for A$280,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where he was offered on behalf of breeder Waikato Stud by Sledmere Stud. He is now a four-time winner from 17 starts, with a further two placings.

By Tivaci, who is represented by 13 yearlings at the forthcoming Karaka Yearling Sales, Wolfy is out of the two-win Savabeel mare Popular, whose three-named foals have all won.