Wyong trainer Tracey Bartley was eyeing the Provincial Championships with Mccormack before his Kembla Grange return, but knew the talented three-year-old would need to get some runs on the board to reach his ‘ultimate goal’.
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The Eurozone gelding had won on debut last preparation at Hawkesbury, but would have to improve on that record quickly to increase his rating ahead of the provincial series’ heats.
Mccormack did just that with a dominant performance in the Duck Creek Dash Class 2 Handicap (1000m) at the Illawarra Turf Club on Tuesday.
Mccormack ($4) stormed down the outside to win by a length from race favourite Royal Witness ($2), with Hostwin Shadow ($9) a half length away in third.
“He was really professional today. He jumped really close to the bunny and finished off really well,” jockey Grant Buckley said.
“I think he is a sprinter, miler over time. We would probably just have to ride him a little more reserved.
“The best thing about it was that last furlong. That is going to take him a long way.”
Mccormack is also eligible to contest the Scone Inglis Guineas, with Bartley also telling The Punt that the race was on his radar.
A visit to town is the likely next option for the promising youngster, with the Provincial Championships heats kicking off at the end of the month.
