Racing: Terminator looks one of the top bets at Pukekohe

Lady Kipling. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Roger James' attention will be focused on He's Remarkable in the million-dollar go in Perth this afternoon, but he's certain to lend an ear to the commentary of The Terminator running at Pukekohe. This rapidly emerging classy stayer looks one of the star bets for the weekend.

He has to carry 58kg in a big field, but he's got the body size to manage that and there is no track around anywhere that will better suit his winding-up finishing sprint.

The Terminator won well at Ellerslie last start and should go close again. Sirani is smart and don't forget Tullaroan won last season's Manawatu Cup. Couple those two up with The Terminator in multiples.

Lady Kipling (No8, R1), like all horses that were unlucky at their previous starts, will come up short on the tote in the opener. With 53kg she is going to take stopping with her driving finish up the long home straight. But she's backing up in a week and you wouldn't be advised to take anything under $2.50 about her. Better Together (No2) and Sarsarun (No6) are smart.

Great betting races spread through the Pukekohe programme and Race 2 is certainly one of them. The combination of gate No 15 and 58kg will put many off Gendarme (No2), but it will also mean you'll get overs for certain. Gendarme is underrated and is fitter for his resuming run at Ellerslie. Don't be surprised if he gets into it with decent luck in the first 300m. Richard Collett's stable can get horses ready to win when resuming and Riotous (No7) should be ready to rock'n'roll. He is another who is better than generally given credit for.

Unraced two-year-olds can be risky, but also often profitable. Niobe (No9, R3) won by a wide margin at her only barrier trial, like a horse ready to win when taken to the races. She gets that opportunity today and they are probably going to have to go fast to beat her. Seleno (No3) has the raceday experience and has shown great heart in her two appearances. She looks the one to beat. Travino (No1) for the multiples.

Last Picasso (No16, R4) has always looked the makings of a good horse. She has come back with a measure of maturity this season and won nicely last start. Pukekohe is going to suit her racing style and with 54kg she looks a great each-way prospect. Cap Eden Rock (No15), who has been freshened, has looked very good from only a handful of starts and should be even better this preparation.The wide gate is unimpressive, but she has James McDonald to help. Anna Marie (No7) and Nancho Bella (No13) won't be far away.

First Response (No5, R5) almost certainly should have won when resuming last start. She was caught wide and did well to finish second. She has had limited experience and should still be improving. Master Zenno (No3) is right in the race.

Twilight Savings (No2, R6) couldn't hold out Platinum Princess in the Coupland's Bakeries Mile last time, but she lost no face. Back to 1400m on a firmer track and at level weights she is going to produce another gutsy effort. So is Banchee (No7). Her midfield effort against much stronger company in the Myer Classic at the Melbourne Cup carnival was better than it looks on paper. This race looks ideal for her. These two mares look a likely quinella result. There are others though, including Magic Briar (No10) and the greatly improved Baby Guinness (No5).

Each way on Prairie Star (No13, R8) in the Counties Cup might be the way to go. Don't be fooled into thinking it was a circumstantial victory at Te Rapa last start when she received a dream rails run - the mare has always looked a potential topline stayer. We are short of those right now and on 52kg, Prairie Star makes a lot of appeal here.

November Rain (No4) is back in fashion now she has returned to winning form. There is ample opportunity for an upset here and Don Domingo (No10) and Appleton's Lass (No14) could combine to produce it.

Unlike Australia, New Zealand is currently woefully short of topline sprinters, which makes emerging horses like Mae Jinx (No2, R9) very tough to beat. Mae Jinx has improved out of all sight this year and can make it four straight in the big sprint on the day. Clear topweight Atapi (No1) hasn't raced since January, but has surprised in the past.

The last is a great betting prospect. If she doesn't get back into the Breeders Stakes, and it looks unlikely, My My Maree (No10, R10) can surprise. She has good ability. So does Tsario (No14), who will be suited by a jump in distance.

* At Te Rapa tomorrow there is another very stylish barrier trials winner making her debut, Waterford in Race 1. She is a lovely Darci Brahma filly who impressed at the Cambridge trials.

Take Charge in Race 3 has been hampered by bad barrier draws and distances a little too short for him. He jumps up to a middle distance today and from the No 1 gate should be difficult to contain.

* A memorial service to bless the ashes of former globetrotting New Zealand jockey Graham McLiesh will be held at Te Awamutu racecourse tomorrow week, November 27, at 1.00pm. McLiesh recently lost a battle with cancer in his home state of Queensland. He was one of New Zealand's most colourful jockeys who left this country to ride in Mauritius, but as a leading rider he left the island after he and his young daughter were attacked with a machete.

The family settled in Melbourne before re-locating to Queensland where McLiesh retired from riding.