KEY POINTS:
Casual observers could be excused for wondering what one of New Zealand's best 3-year-old trotters is doing in a $4500 race at Addington today.
The answer is simple - getting ready for Saturday.
Real Deal Yankee will make his Addington debut at the Rangiora meeting against older opponents
in the mobile trot, even though he would be more at home racing at a premier meeting.
But trainer John Dickie said the low-grade race was ideal for the classy youngster.
Real Deal Yankee has travelled south from his Cambridge base to contest the Hambletonian at Ashburton on Saturday and Dickie said he wanted to trial the horse from behind the mobile this week.
"Then when I saw this race I thought it was perfect. He only would have been going to the trials anyway," Dickie said.
"Because of the handicapping system it is a free win anyway so he might as well line up in a race, even if it is only worth $4500."
Real Deal Yankee has not started in a mobile race since galloping away in the Harness Jewels at Ashburton last June. He has been impressive since, though, scoring a huge win at Cambridge three starts ago and then placing against good opposition at his next outing. While the formline has a zero for his latest outing, Dickie said it was one of his best runs.
"I am sure he was going to win until he galloped on the home bend that night," Dickie said. "And that was in a good field against Sovereignty so I am sure he is up to the best 3-year-olds."
Dickie will have a rare drive behind Real Deal Yankee to get a feel for where he stands heading into his big challenge this weekend against the stars of a rapidly improving 3-year-old trotting crop.
"I don't drive many winners so hopefully we can get one here. The main objective is to get him doing things right behind the mobile but we are also here to win and he is ready to do that."
So Flash, to be driven by Mark Jones, appeals as his main danger today. She will be much improved from her first run since winning on this track in October.
Safely through this week, Real Deal Yankee will have a week off and then stay in the south with Robbie Holmes, who trained the Dickie-owned Romper Stomper to win the New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All at Addington in November.
He will be aimed at the New Zealand Trotting Derby before returning north for feature races.
- NZPA