Maui hooks Waikouaiti Trotters Cup

Bruce Stewart Contributor

The small David McCormick harness racing team led by stable standout Maui (Peak) is firing at present.

Maui’s win today at Oamaru in the $20,000 Onelog Limited Waikouaiti Trotters Cup was his twelfth and his third on a grass track.

From the ten metre handicap, McCormick took Maui straight to the top and although challenged by backmarker Jimmy Carter, McCormick held the front to win by two lengths from Idle Stuartia with Jimmy Carter a neck back in third. The 3000 metres was trotted in 4-07.8.

“He began well. I went to the front and stacked them up a bit down the straight because there was a strong wind. Johnny Morrison came round with Jimmy Carter. I gave Maui a bit more rein and he could see I was travelling pretty good so he just sat there,” McCormick said.

The last 800 metres was cut out in 57.2 and McCormick said it would take a good horse to come from behind and win.

Maui Bruce Stewart Photo

Since the 3^rd of December Maui has had ten starts for four wins and two seconds and has banked more than $40,000 for his connections.

“We changed his shoes before he won the Green Mile at Methven and put aluminiums (shoes) on, and he just seems to have grown another leg. I don’t really know what it’s done but I know the cheques are in the bank (laughter).”

So, what’s next?

“I was tempted to go to Auckland but looked at what’s likely to be there with the TAB Trot and a few from Aussie there. Small fish are sweet so we’ll look at picking up some of these $20,000 races. There’s a $20,000 race down at Gore in a couple of weeks which looks winnable.”

Shezadorabil the dam of Maui won three races over a 179 start career and was placed a further 25 times. At stud she’s left Dora Explorer (1 win), Maui, an unnamed Superfast Stuart three year old filly and an unnamed Majestic Son yearling colt.

“I always thought Dora Explorer was as good as Maui but she was moody. She beat Cracker Hill by three lengths down south one day but lost it on protest.”

Todays’ win was David’s forty second and all have been with trotters. Other good winners for McCormick have been Queen Charlotte (6), Sugar Cane (6) and Charlotte Wood (4).

“I like them because they keep improving. Pacers seem to get to a hard grade very quickly whereas with trotters they keep improving every year and you can have a lot of fun with them over a period of time.”