Lowry and the 10yr-old stop off in Ashburton today.
High Forty will race in a rating 75 2100m to keep his fitness levels up.
The 18-year-old put his hand up for the task as his uncle Shane Anderton, Hi Forty’s co-trainer, is on holiday in Vietnam.
"I’m the man for the job," Lowry quipped.
"He’ll run at Ashburton, having a couple of days in Christchurch, then work his way up from there."
High Forty will be stabled with Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong at Riccarton before leaving for the North Island on Monday. He will be based with Peter and Dawn Williams and Paul Richards at Byerley Park at Karaka when he arrives in Auckland. While today’s field is not the strongest rating 75 field High Forty will ever meet, he has not won on the flat since prevailing over 1600m at Timaru in May 2011. Regardless, the race should serve to keep the steeplechaser fit, Lowry said.
"It’s probably just something to keep him going on. Obviously, there is a bit of travel involved so this should top him up nicely for the [Great Northern]."
The race is a week tomorrow.
Lowry has three rides on today’s nine-race card and is leaning towards Nava in race 8.
"I’d say Do Uno Whoiam but he’s been letting me down, so I’d have to go with Nava. It hasn’t been going bad maidens and it shouldn’t be far away."
Fellow jockey Marco Chui has a handy book of rides at Ashburton and rates Zucchero as one of his best.
The 30-year-old successfully combined with the ex-North Islander on the course at the end of last month and they will be seeking a repeat performance in the rating 75 1400m.
"Two runs back he went really well," Chui said.
"The ground was a little bit too heavy for him after that at Riccarton — he should be one of my main chances."
Chui will also continue his association with Zucchero’s stablemate, Miss Mia, in the rating 65 2100m after partnering the Zed mare to consecutive placings.
"She’s been going pretty well and she’s got a good heart. Every time you ask her she gives everything," he said.
Chui will also ride Sunflower, on whom he won two starts ago, in the rating 65 1200m, and Domaine (1600m maiden) for Andrew Carston.
"He’s put me on a few and I’m very grateful," Chui said.
He won on Sunflower at Oamaru last month and was aboard Domaine when the mare finished fifth at Ashburton in her first appearance from Carston’s yard.
Chui is also looking forward to riding the Terri Rae-trained Darkseid in the 1200m maiden.
"It’s my first ride for Terri," he said.
"The filly showed ability at the trials and won pretty impressively."
— Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
