It's easy to understand why the gallant
eight-year-old Gallant Guru gelding Tommy Tucker is Jacob Lowry's pet horse.
They again successfully combined to defend their Listed The Craigmore Timaru
Cup title at the Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday with a typically spirited
display.
Under topweight of 60kg, the tough as teak Tommy Tucker answered every call of
his 18-year-old rider to get in the deciding stride and pip the front-runner
Pepper Mill, who was in receipt of six kilos.
"He's been my favourite for some time - he might not be a top-liner, but he's
not far off it," said Lowry, who is apprenticed to his grandfather Brian
Anderton, who trains Tommy Tucker with son Shane.
"I was pretty confident as soon as the fields came out – drawing one was a
massive help with that weight."
Lowry gave Tommy Tucker a cosy trip behind the pace and the chestnut son of
Gallant Guru rounded off determinedly in the run home.
"He travelled well all the way and it was a pretty good effort," he said. "I
wasn't sure if we had won though, I was more hopeful than anything."
Lowry is in his fourth season of riding and he has come back strongly after
battling weight issues and taking some time out in the spring.
"I've got it under control and the rewards are coming – I'm comfortably riding
at 56 to 56.5kg and feeling a lot better," he said.
From a Gr.3 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup perspective, the late run of
Bloodstream to take third behind Tommy Tucker was an encouraging pointer to his
Trentham prospects. – NZ Racing Desk.