The jockey rides promising gallopers Slammer and Patrick Erin for his grandfather, Brian Anderton, and uncle, Shane Anderton.
Lowry looks in need of some good, old-fashioned racing luck, after both drew wide gates.
However, the way Lowry has been riding lately he has been taking luck out of the equation. The 18-year-old has notched 12 wins this season from 76 race rides. His strike rate of averaging a win for every 6.3 rides places him among the country's best jockeys. Of the country's regular riders - those who have ridden in more than 40 races this season - Lowry is behind only Samantha Wynne, Danielle Johnson and Leith Innes.
The Otago jockey rides Chicago in today's opener. Both Chicago and Patrick Erin are last-start winners from the December 10 feature meeting at Invercargill.
Chicago impressed Lowry with his maiden victory.
''He's a nice horse that has still got a wee bit to learn, too. He raced a little bit green last start and didn't really want to get amongst it so we elected to go forward. We burned a bit of petrol, too, but still had a bit of
at the end, so he can only improve.''
Lowry plans to have Chicago prominently placed from the 1600m starting point in today's race after the galloper led to win in his Invercargill run.
''You've got a big long straight at Wingatui - it's a 600m run. I would say we will be positive early. We don't have to lead,
just so long as we get in somewhere.''
Patrick Erin ran away from his rating 65 rivals to score by more than three lengths at Invercargill.
Today's rating 75 field is stronger, but provides a good chance to measure the horse's future prospects.
''It is a good field, but we will be able to get line on him after this run.''
Lowry rates Son Of Maher and Gallant Defender as two of the hardest horses to beat in the field, but does think his mount will measure up to better horses in time.
''He is probably going to look to go through the grades. He is a tidy horse for me to ride.''
Slammer lines up from barrier 16 to complete a hat-trick of horror draws for the jockey. Of the trio, Slammer may be
looking for the most Christmas fortune.
''He is a nice horse this but he probably needs next to a miracle from out there.''
The jockey rated the Raise The Flag 3yr-old as a very promising type, but today's fortunes will depend on how he can slot into a good position during the running.
''We probably will try to
get across and get a bit of
cover and keep our fingers crossed.''
Irish Excuse lines up in today's feature sprint at listed level for Lowry and Gore trainer Ellis Winslow.
''It is a hot field but its form has been good and Ellis's team has been absolutely flying so let's hope that keeps up.''
Lowry also rides Double Tapp, who he rates an improver after three runs back from a spell, and last-start Wingatui winner Flicka Of Gold, who races under similar circumstances today.
''Same distance, same track and hopefully same result.''
-By Jonny Turner
