The top three horses in early Perth Cup odds for New Year’s Day are also dominating the Ted Van Heemst Stakes 2017 betting markets at Ascot Racecourse this weekend in W.A.

Jockey Chris Parnham rides Zarantz in the 2017 Ted Van Heemst Stakes field at Ascot Racecourse in Perth on Saturday. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell.

In a final key lead-up to the Group 2 $500,000 Perth Cup (2400m) on January 1, this Saturday is host to the weight-for-age Group 2 $400,000 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m).

Formerly known as the CB Cox Stakes, the race features a final field of just eight runners this summer including the top three in futures Perth Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Lindsey Smith’s incredibly consistent four-year-old Trap For Fools is the $4 fancy for the 2018 Perth Cup after making it six straight wins on Wednesday in the Listed A.T.A. Stakes (2200m).

This Saturday the son of Poet’s Voice is on the super quick three day turnaround looking to keep the victorious streak going and keep fit ahead of the Perth Cup in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes.

“As it stands, he’s running again on Saturday,” Smith told The West Australian after the all-the-way midweek win by Trap For Fools.

“He’s pulled up well. I’ll take him to a beach on Friday.

“Then we’ll get the vet to go right over him in the afternoon, before a final decision is made on backing him up.”

He is the $4 third favourite in the latest Ted Van Heemst Stakes odds online drawn in gate six with his winning hoop from Wednesday, Alan Kennedy, retaining the ride.

“I’m sure he’ll handle weight-for-age on Saturday and then step up to 2400m in the Cup,” Smith added.

The dangers looking at the Ted Van Heemst Stakes betting markets are Material Man ($3.20) and early market mover Pounamu ($3.50) who also occupy the second and third lines of betting on the Perth Cup.

Last time out the Alan Mathews-trained grey Authorized gelding Pounamu had the upper hand scoring an upset win in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) on December 9 as a $26 roughie.

That was the six-year-old’s longest-distanced career win however and he is out to prove his staying potential ahead of Perth Cup Day this weekend from gate four with Patrick Carbery in the saddle again.

Justin Warwick’s fellow six-year-old, Vital Equine gelding Material Man is being tipped to turn the tables on Pounamu in Saturday’s rematch after finishing only a half-length second in the Kingston Town Classic at even longer odds of $31.

Unlike the Kingston Town Classic winner, Material Man boasts winning form up to 2200m and so should relish the extra metres of the Ted Van Heemst Stakes on Saturday.

In an open affair, a further two Ted Van Heemst Stakes hopefuls are under $10 for the win with the Adam Durrant-trained seven-year-old Zarantz ($7) and Sharon miller’s Viscount mare Shinta Mani ($9.50), out to atone for her last in the A.T.A. Stakes, considered the best outside place chances.

Check out the latest Ted Van Heemst Stakes 2017 odds below, Perth betting markets open now at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 Ted Van Heemst Stakes Betting