Racing: Southern sojourn reaps rich reward for juvenile raider

Unbeaten juvenile trotter Paramount Geegee may look a freshman freak but you haven't seen anything yet.

Just wait till you see the giant baby get a chance to follow his rivals around for a while instead of being asked to do all the work in his races.

That is the opinion of his Cambridge trainer John Dickie after Paramount Geegee won the $85,000 PGG Wrightson Sales Series Trot at Ashburton yesterday.

The warm favourite led throughout to easily hold out Springbank Sam, even though he looked slightly gawkish in front.

"He is not actually at his best in front," said Dickie. "But in a 2-year-old trot where so many horses can gallop it is the place to be.

"When he gets the chance to come off the back of another horse at speed that is when you will really see something.

"When we do that at home he can sprint with the pacers."

Paramount Geegee is now unbeaten in five starts and while Sales Series Trots can often be easy kills for mature and sensible youngsters, he does appear to have a little x-factor. "I have always thought that," said Dickie.

"That is why we paid $26,000 for him at the sales last year, even though his sire, Pegasus Spur, was a first season-sire out here. He looked the part then and as soon as I started working him I loved him."

So much so that Dickie returned to the Karaka sales this year to pay big money for another Pegasus Spur colt before the buzz on the North American sire grew because of Paramount Geegee's deeds.

Paramount Geegee will now have a few days off and be set for two Addington features before his biggest aim of the domestic season, his $100,000 division of the Harness Jewels on Dickie's home track on June 5.

But that may not end his season, with his trainer keen on tackling the A$150,000 Australasian Breeders Crown in Victoria in August.

"I think with a horse as exciting as him you have to look at it because the money is very big over there."

The ABC is even more attractive because 3-year-old trotters have no real target until February, meaning they can race in Australia as juveniles until August and still have their all-important spell.

Meanwhile, Dickie warns punters to be careful when assessing the chances of his two top-class trotters Real Deal Yankee and Great Getaway at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

The pair face handicaps in a two-win race after the four-win trot was scrapped and Dickie says he will be happy if they are simply running on at the finish.

"Real Deal Yankee needs some racing and some form to get into the Rowe Cup," said Dickie.

"Whereas Great Getaway has had a good little break and her aim is now the Jewels [4-year-old] at home in June, so everything for her is aimed towards that."

FAST GEEGEE
* Cambridge trotter Paramount Geegee wins the $85,000 Sales Series Trot at Ashburton.
* He remains unbeaten after five starts.
* His main aim is the Harness Jewels on his home track on June 5.