Leading South Island apprentice Jacob Lowry has tipped Ablaze as his best ride at Riccarton on Wednesday.

He will partner the Raise The Flag gelding for his employers Brian and Shane Anderton in the Classic Villa Rating 85.

“He’s a progressive horse,” Lowry said. “He did well in the autumn at Riccarton and he just had a fresh-up run at Timaru that has topped him off quite nicely.

“He’s done everything right. There’s a couple of sharp ones in there, but I’d like to think he’ll go pretty close on Wednesday.”