Londonderry Air may yet get some air himself

Londonderry Air wins the Fred Muir Memorial over Lady Bealey and Princess El Jay (both obscured) for rider Corey Campbell at Oamaru yesterday. Photo: Jonny Turner
Londonderry Air wins the Fred Muir Memorial over Lady Bealey and Princess El Jay (both obscured) for rider Corey Campbell at Oamaru yesterday. Photo: Jonny Turner
Jumps racing is not off Londonderry Air's agenda despite the horse's impressive flat win at Oamaru yesterday.

The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained galloper, who qualified for hurdle racing last season, was one of few horses to charge home from off the pace and win when scoring in rating 82 company.

Rider Corey Campbell rode a patient race on the 7yr-old before launching a well-timed finish on the point of the home turn.

The win kept Londonderry Air's unbeaten record at Oamaru intact and continued the excellent flat form he has produced this campaign.

Like most in-form southern gallopers, the horse will be targeted at the upcoming Grand National Meeting.

And despite his impressive flat form, the Anderton stable have not ruled out aiming Londonderry Air at a hurdle event at Riccarton.

``He will go to the national meeting and we might give him a start in a maiden hurdle race,'' Shane Anderton said.

Londonderry Air's pedigree suggests he is destined to make a good jumper.

The galloper is a half-brother to the Koral and Grand National Steeplechase winner, High Forty.

The Anderton stable will be without their star hurdler Jackfrost at this year's Grand National Carnival.

The grey leaves today for a Victorian campaign that will include some of Australia's biggest steeplechase races.

Jackfrost will be accompanied throughout his trip by White Robe Lodge rider Courtney Barnes.

Fellow Wingatui rider Jacob Lowry was in hot form at yesterday's meeting when scoring three wins from just four rides.

Lowry sealed his winning treble when helping Montserrat to a deserved win in rating 65 company over 1600m.

The pair stalked a strong pace set up by Stellacanto, before wearing down the pacemaker in the last 50m of the race.

Lowry also guided Sulu Sea to a deserved maiden win over 2200m when scoring by an impressive four lengths.

The jockey said he was impressed with the feel he got from Danny Champion and Kezia Murphy-trained 3yr-old in his first ride on her.

``She is a nice filly, she is going to stay really well.

``She has been up along time, so next time around is probably going to be her go.''

Lowry also guided Trudeau to win yesterday's feature sprint, the rating 82 event over 1400m.

Lowry handled riding responsibilities for fellow southern jockey Samantha Wynne, who part-owns the galloper.

Wynne was unavailable for the ride as she was on hand to watch South Island sprinter Enzo's Lad contest the King's Stand Plate at Royal Ascot yesterday morning.

There was no fairy-tale finish to the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained galloper's trip to the United Kingdom.

Enzo's Lad struggled to match it with his opponents and finished last.

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