Twin Wing made up for a close third in last year's Grafton Cup by returning to take out the $150,000 Listed feature on Thursday.The Guy Walter-trained stayer was perfectly rated in front by Jay Ford, who added the Grafton Cup (2350m) to his Ramornie Handicap victory aboard Takeover Target the last time he rode at the popular country carnival back in 2004.Ford went forward on Twin Wing from his wide barrier and took up the running passing the winning post the first time.The honest seven-year-old,

Twin Wing made up for a close third in last year's Grafton Cup by returning to take out the $150,000 Listed feature on Thursday.

The Guy Walter-trained stayer was perfectly rated in front by Jay Ford, who added the Grafton Cup (2350m) to his Ramornie Handicap victory aboard Takeover Target the last time he rode at the popular country carnival back in 2004.

Ford went forward on Twin Wing from his wide barrier and took up the running passing the winning post the first time.

The honest seven-year-old, who started at $11, controlled the race and led the field into the home straight.

Queenslander Frozone ($6) moved up quickly to challenge and hit the front halfway down the straight but Twin Wing responded and fought back to win by a short head.

Favourite Ironstein ($2.90) finished a length away third after making a wide run coming into the home straight.

"What a great old horse he is," Walter said of his stable favourite.

"If you look at his record he's finished in the money 50 per cent of his starts. He's never run a bad race and here he is, a Grafton Cup winner."

Thursday's Grafton Cup victory was Twin Wing's second stakes win in his past three starts.

Ford rode the gelding to an all-the-way victory in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on June 5 - his first win in over two years - before Walter stepped him up to 3200m in the Stayer's Cup at the same track on June 19 when he finished third.

"He's always been a horse who goes well fresh and with the two miles under his belt, it may have suited him," the trainer said.

"(Jay) rode a beautiful race - he's ridden him very well each time he's ridden him."

Ford said Twin Wing relaxed nicely in the run and was able to get into a good rhythm before starting to quicken from the 600m mark.

"They challenged him but he's a tough, honest horse and he was able to hold them off," Ford said.

"I felt Frozone was probably going to get the upper hand on him at the furlong (200m), but to my bloke's credit he's tough and honest and just keeps going."

The Alan Bailey-trained Frozone was gallant in defeat - the second time in three starts he's been agonisingly close to a Cup victory.

The four-year-old gelding was beaten a nose by Our Lukas in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) last month.