Rob Wellington and Mick Travers combine for Corowa success with Saint Henry

Saint Henry ran fourth at Wagga last Friday and backed up successfully for Albury trainer Rob Wellington at Corowa's Melbourne Cup eve race meeting.

A top Mick Travers ride proved the difference as Saint Henry ($4.20) claimed a photo finish to win the Kennedy Builders Mulwala Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m).

Fromista ($4.00) was a nose away in second place, with Cheeva Grande ($19) running a close-up third.

Wellington was pleased to see Saint Henry return to the winner's stall for his third victory from 31 career starts.

"He's a horse that has always been promising a fair bit but we'll see how we go with him," Wellington said.

"I've been really happy with him. It was a bit of a quick back up and we thought if he didn't go well today then we were going to give him a little break. On top of the ground was another query so it's just nice to win."

Wellington believes the six-year-old has added another string to his bow this preparation.

"He was leading in his races and we thought that was his motto and now he's dropping back a little," he said.

"We always know at the 600 he's got to start winding up because he might not make a lot more ground but he does keep going."

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Saint Henry was last turning for home at Corowa but Travers saved ground on the inside and came with a race-winning run.

Travers conceded he had to think on the run.

"The original plan was to try and lead, or be right there, and he resented it so we went to plan B," Travers told Sky Racing.

"Rob always said to me, because I was apprenticed to Rob, make sure you've got them in a winning position turning for home, or a position where you can win, and we had that and got the luck. It was great."

In a deceiving finish for many, Saint Henry got the photo ahead of the Andrew Dale-trained Fromista. Travers thought he'd got there.

"I hit the front probably two strides before the line. It was just a matter of whether he tried to get out of it or not," he said.

"I was pretty confident that I'd won it but you never know with this angle here."

Travers also had two placings as a trainer with Mathrin and Blessed Award (both third).

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