Racing: Stakes good Wellington Cup indicator

The Trentham Stakes could well prove the best guide to the Wellington Cup - according to the TAB bookmakers' market.

The first three home in Saturday's $75,000 group three event were last night the first three favourites for the $250,000 Wellington Cup (3200m) next Saturday.

The Trentham Stakes, a 2400m weight-for-age race, resulted in a thrilling four-way finish with victory going to Envoy.

Second, beaten a nose, was Trebla while there was a short head to Zabeat third and a nose to Distinctly Secret fourth. Distinctly Secret is not in the Wellington Cup.

Envoy was a $5 favourite to win the cup after being a $7 favourite on Friday. Zabeat was a $6 second favourite after being at $9 while the biggest market mover was Trebla who came in from $12 to $7.

Envoy was posting his first win since taking out the $100,000 Hawkes Bay Cup (2200m) at Hastings last April.

The Personal Escort 7-year-old gelding has since done Waikato trainer and part-owner Ken Kelso proud.

At his following start he beat all but Demerger in the A$400,000 ($445,000) Adelaide Cup (3200m) in May.

This season Envoy was fourth to Xcellent in the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings.

- NZPA