Racing: Trainer picks mare to get away from rivals

Take the advice of the man who knows - Real Deal Yankee will struggle to give Great Getaway a 20m start at Alexandra Park tonight.

That is the opinion of the pair's trainer John Dickie as they prepare for their comeback races in tonight's feature trot.

The pair meet some race-hardened rivals in the first leg of the $50,000 Pick6 but have class on their side.

In the case of Great Getaway, she has the handicapper on her side, too.

A last-start Harness Jewels placegetter at Cambridge, Great Getaway comes in nicely tonight off just a 10m handicap, with only two longshots off the front.

That puts her 20m in front of Real Deal Yankee, but with traffic concerns that could be a far more valuable start.

And Dickie says that is all the mare may need.

"There really isn't a lot between them any more," said Dickie.

"Even though Real Deal has been the better horse in the past maybe she has caught up a bit and the gap has closed."

Recent workouts at Cambridge would indicate that, with their two clashes finishing one-all.

"On those and how they have been working at home I think Real Deal will struggle to give her 20m."

The race may only be worth $8500 but it is still important for both, as the open-class trotting season starts to get serious.

"I can see there being more open-class depth this season, so to get starts in the best races you are going to need form.

"So, even they will both improve on what they do this week they will be running on and have chances.

"But you can tell your readers I favour the mare [Great Getaway] more."

An added incentive for punters is that Great Getaway will driven by top reinsman Tony Herlihy.

Dickie has more reason than just having two potential open-class trotters in the same race to make him proud tonight, with his son Josh taking the reins behind Real Deal Yankee.

He has looked a wise, old head on young shoulders in his short driving career so far and this could be the horse to take him to another level with more regular exposure.

He secures the drive as Real Deal Yankee's regular reinsman from last season, Todd Mitchell, trains a key rival in Don Giovanni.

The big horse galloped last start but won his previous two races like a horse heading to open class.

On his best behaviour he would be the one the Dickie pair have to beat tonight, along with Alien Waits, who was the bravest of seconds last start, beating home One Over Kenny.

Illuminati could be worth consideration as a trifecta prospect.