Lowry happy to get call-up on Black Estate

Jacob Lowry.
Jacob Lowry.
If the shuffling of jockeys continues for in-form galloper Black Estate, his saddle may need to be fitted with a turnstile.

The Les Didham-trained thoroughbred is aiming to win his third consecutive race with his third different jockey in race 6 at Riccarton today.

The 5yr-old powered home to win for Chris Johnson at Riverton two stars ago and delivered a performance that was just as eye-catching at Wingatui to grab victory right on the post for Samantha Wynne.

Commitments to other stables have meant another  jockey change was needed for today’s race and Jacob Lowry is more than happy to fill in for his two senior counterparts.

"It is a good pick-up. Obviously, Sam and Chris had other commitments, so I have got the call-up and I am very happy to get it."

Black Estate’s powerful finishes to win his past two 1200m starts have Lowry confident about the horse stepping up to 1400m.

"He is coming into the race good, the trainer is happy.

"He will be getting back and coming into the race late and, hopefully, he will be having that winning run."

Black Estate is also likely to face a change of track conditions today, after scoring his recent wins on dead rated tracks.

But Lowry is taking a line from the horse’s trainer that the galloper will handle a  Riccarton track that was downgraded as far as heavy yesterday afternoon.

"I don’t think the trainer would have him in the race if he didn’t think he could handle it; he is pretty confident."

"It was probably a fraction wetter at Riverton than what they thought and he seemed to get through it fine, so I don’t think it would be a concern."

Johnson and Wynne have not just stepped aside to let Lowry take the race spoils. The pair will be out out for victory on two Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained runners who  could vindicate their decisions to get off Black Estate.

Johnson rides O’Kiwi while Wynne jumps aboard the in-form Elfee. Both carry handy recent form into the race. The two riders also combine with the Pitman stable in the following race at Riccarton,  today’s open 1600m.  Johnson will be on  Flying Ibis, from whom Michael Pitman is expecting an improved showing following his last-start failure on the track, earlier this month.

"The horse is very well and Chris is sticking with him."

Pitman is also hopeful Wynne’s mount, Night Nurse, will improve after two midfield efforts after a spell.

"She’s no good until she gets out into the open and drawing eight of eight will help. I expect big improvement from her."

Pitman rates Dynamic as the best of his stable’s three chances in today’s open sprint, race 2.

"He’s definitely the horse to beat. He’s very honest; he’s got a great record at Riccarton."

In today’s final event, the Pitman stable has one-race winner Gloss and 10-race winner Prince Ransom who has dropped back to a rating 65 grade again.

The pair take on last-start Riccarton winner The Man with  Lowry aboard.

"He has been working well. Obviously, he is carrying a wee bit of weight, but I don’t think that will worry him,"Lowry  said.

— Jonny Turner, additional reporting NZ Racing Desk

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