McCormick just loving Methven

Lawrence McCormick has a special liking for the Methven track.

Over the past week the Tiwald based horseman has won two races there – last weekend with Vertigo (Peak) and yesterday at the Akaroa meeting with Father Mike (Father Patrick).

Three of Father Mike’s four wins have been on the grass – twice at Methven twice and once at Rangiora.

“I’m not sure whether it’s the grass. It’s just the amount of gear he wears. He struggles around that Showgrounds bend at Addington. Although he won his maiden at Addington I’m trying to stay away until I have to go there,” Lawrence said.

McCormick purchased Father Mike at the 2022 NZB Standardbred Yearlings Sales for $10,000 after he was initially passed in.

“His conformation was not brilliant so that’s probably why he was passed in and that’s why he’s taken a bit of sorting. I’ve got no gear left in the shed when he’s geared up. Eventually he won’t need it, but at the moment he’s still a bit dumb. He’d actually be a lot better if I sent him to the North Island. He wouldn’t wear any of that gear going the Auckland way round.”

Owned by Lawrence, his wife Melissa and Mike Clements, Father Mike is out of the Love You mare Iditarod and the family goes back to the ‘Mountain’ horses that Jim Smith had lots of success with. The family produced two Rowe Cup winners in Mountain Pride (1967) and Mountain Gold (1999).

In the Pint & Pony In Longhurst Trot yesterday driver Wilson House took Father Mike to the lead. Coming down the long Methven straight he afforded himself two looks over his right shoulder before going down to the line to win from late comer Sheza Trendy One. The winning margin was two lengths.

FATHER MIKE REPLAY

“Potentially I’m going to back him up at Invercargill on Thursday only because Vertigo is going down for The Dark Horse and she won’t travel in the float by herself.”

Lawrence works all his horses on his home property at Tinwald which he operates with his father David.

“I’m very much part time. I work them before I go to work. I’m an electrician by trade. I’ve got a stray voltage testing business in dairy sheds.”

The win caps off a great week for McCormick. His quality mare Vertigo won the Yabby Dam Farms Fillies and Mares Handicap Trot last Sunday, also in the hands of House.

“I knew she was going to win a reasonable sort of a race and it was probably going to be on the grass. She just loves the grass. The way they programme the races these days once you get over 50 (R50) you have to go to Addington. They don’t give you any other choices with the trotters. She deserved that because she’s been racing in all those good races for a long time.”

Vertigo was bought by McCormick off the Gavelhouse Auction Site for $3,000 and has now won thirteen races and over $160,000.

“She’s booked into Majestic Son once we get back from The Dark Horse. I’ll race her in foal through the Christmas period, then she’ll be retired.”

Between Lawrence and David they have seven horses in work including two three year olds and two two year olds.

“They’re all just about ready to go to the trials. I’ve got one called Not From Mot (Majestic Son – Ella Of Mot). He’s out of the Edmonds breed and trots along good. The pick of them is the two year old filly Sugar Queen (Majestic Son – Sugar Cane). Dad raced Sugar Cane and she won six. I’m lucky Dad is retired. He can do jog frames and all I have to do is fast work.”   

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink