Racing: Culminate set to join exodus of top mares

High-class South Auckland mare Culminate may do her future racing in Dubai.

That was the indication last night as offers were received from the emirate for her.

On Saturday, Culminate finished fourth in the A$500,000 Winter Stakes in Brisbane, fighting strongly to the last 100m behind top Australian filly the Gerald Ryan-trained Melito.

The other New Zealand mare Wealth Princess came from third-late at the 500m for a terrific second in her last start for her New Zealand trainer Brent Gillovic before transferring to Lee Freeman's Melbourne stable.

Culminate's trainer Stephen McKee was last night on a flight from Brisbane to Auckland.

His father, Trevor McKee, said he was aware of the Dubai offers.

"It makes sense - she's 7 next season and there are not that many races for her in New Zealand."

Meanwhile, if there was a prize for the biggest smile at Tauranga on Saturday, apprentice Jenny Whiteside won it without competition after Son Of Pupil won at $24.

If you're riding your first winner at age 25 you're entitled to that.

Not that Whiteside had been buried by the weight of previous defeats ... the Craig Ritchie-based apprentice welcomed them as experience.

Perhaps that's what being 25, rather than 15, allows you ... .she's been riding for only a short time.

If you like drop-back horses - and it's a great way to back value winners - you probably had to consider Son Of Pupil.

The only thing you had to get your mind around was that his last race placing was in November 2008.

What was important was that the performance was in open company - a second to Superalloy - and Saturday's race was at R70 - essentially one-win grade. And then the horse had a 4kg allowance.