Racing: Culminate each way in the Breeders

Khemosabi had to do it at both ends of the race when resuming at Te Rapa last start and it proved too much.

But his third still rated as a brave effort and you might see a different result at Te Aroha today.

Khemosabi has drawn No 9 of the 11 runners in Race 3 today, which is not ideal, but it's better than the outside gate of 14 runners at Te Rapa.

There is a fair bit of pace in this race and provided he doesn't get parked outside two or three of the speed runners, he'll be very competitive in the final 200m.

Mels Bad Boy is dropping two rating bands from his handy and late-closing fourth last start and rates a chance.

The biggest betting race by far will be the $200,000 Breeders, Race 7.

It's difficult to go past Culminate (No3) and the two Aussies Dane Julia (No1) and Emblem of Liberty (No5) holding the key to the group one event. Culminate will be on the speed, even from her wide gate, and Dane Julia and stablemate Emblem of Liberty are likely to be storming at her in the closing 200m.

It could well be that the Australians are a fraction too good - don't forget what Sister Havana, Gold Trail and Zavite have done this season for our cousins, or that Dane Julia won this last year - but also don't forget Culminate stretched Typhoon Tracy's neck at group one level in Sydney this time last year and neither of the other pair would ever look like doing that.

Culminate each way might be the way to go in what will be one of the standout races of the autumn. There are plenty of chances if the favourites all run badly and it would pay not to leave Obsession (No12) out of your multiples.

The barrier draws made a mess of the opener with three of the favourites Yahoo (No4), Hill Of Gold (No1) and Rhythm Divine (No11) drawn gates 19, 17 and 15. Difficult to know what the connections will do, or what the draws will mean if the trio start. Ilka (No13) has drawn well and is a definite each-way prospect. She ran a few respectable races, always finishing on, last campaign and is on the verge of victory. Things didn't quite go her way when she was held up for a run at Tauranga last start. She will quickly need to step from this 1400m to 1600m, but Te Aroha offers a long home straight to wind up on.

So Pristine (No7 R4) is a staying mare of promise. She hasn't raced for a couple of months which could allow her to be fresh enough to get away with today's 1600m distance. Last start at Te Rapa on February 13 she finished third, one length off Juice and Gallant, both of whom would beat this field. Catalina (No3) for the multiples.

It takes a good horse these days to win three of their first four starts. Dasoudi (No6, R5) managed it and has found a strong field to resume in following a summer break. She will need to be very forward to beat the likes of Salvatore (No2), Miss Raggedy Ann (No1) and Latika (No5), but it's hard to bet away from her. Quinellas and trifectas look the go.

The Swap Contractors Te Aroha Cup could be a bit of a trap. The overall form of the three at the top of the handicap, Everbright (No1, R6) Young Centaur (No2) and Tinseltown (No3) might not look that startling, but they are better than the rest of this field. Everbright is best when there is give in the footing and if the track stays that way from rain early in the week he is a chance. However the brilliantly fine weather is likely to have brought this track right back.

Tinseltown won the $150,000 Rotorua Cup over the same course on this track last May then finished third in the Brisbane Cup, so his overall form is well up to him winning this. He might be the way to go, but the other pair will be competitive.

The Hombre (No2, R8) looked a coming stunner when he powered away from Joey Massino and Corsage at Hastings last August then his form started to gradually taper off. He later looked physically as though he was still developing and as a result was running out of strength. He was spelled in November and that should be the making of him. He resumes over 1400m today and should be closely watched. He looks to be very good. Spera (No1) is classy and as the winner of her last three will take beating, but she is a filly giving a gelding (The Hombre) 2kg and that won't be easy.

If Pearl Dancer (No6) starts here in preference to Race 9 she should be included in multiples.

If C'est La Vie (No8, R9) can reproduce the effort she put in at open handicap level at Ellerslie last start she will be winning today's R70 event. She had little luck behind Beautiful Girl on that occasion and looks promising. If Pearl Dancer (No14) starts here throw her in multiples.

A couple of smart improvers in the last, Two Up (No10, R10) and Irish Rose (No16). Two Up started from gate No 13 at Ellerslie last start and never got close to the inside rail. He's drawn No 12 and should come into 10 this time and will be better off from the Te Aroha 1600m start, which offers a long run to the first bend.

Irish Rose was massive being beaten only a long neck by Sand Jewel at Tauranga last start after covering a huge amount of extra ground around the bend.

She is a filly of real promise.