Racing: Bay pair's fingers crossed on gelding

Grant Cullen (left) and Guy Lowry of Kininmont.

Trainers Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen have confidence in one of their home track representatives at Hastings today but they're not too sure what to expect from the other.

They like the chances of Kininmont in the Makfi Challenge Stakes-Daffodil Raceday on August 27 while Ambitious Unicorn will make his first appearance for the stable in the Fasttrackinsurance 1200.

"Kininmont is coming along nicely and he's trained on well since he last raced," Lowry said. "I think he can win another one pretty quickly."

The Gold Centre gelding has been lightly tried and the style of his maiden success on the course earlier this month suggested he can make his mark in better company.

At his eighth race day appearance, Kininmont settled at the tail of the field after a slow start and the 5-year-old finished off strongly down the outside of the track to win going away.

"We haven't had any issues with him, he's just been a very immature horse who's needed time," Lowry said.

Newcomer Ambitious Unicorn has been hampered by setbacks after a promising start to his career from the Cambridge yard of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.

He was a debut winner at Awapuni 20 months ago before he ran third in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial and was spelled after one more appearance.

Unfortunately, Ambitious Unicorn bled on his return at Te Rapa in the autumn.

"We don't know that much about him and we haven't had him that long, but he's coming up well so we'll keep our fingers crossed," Lowry said.

- NZ Racing Desk