Cashman runner can be competitive in Group One

Hobby trainer Rick Cashman isn’t letting the idea of adding a Group 1 winner to his resume get ahead of Saturday night’s Ride High Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old harness racing entires and geldings.

The Cranbourne-based trainer will prepare My Uncle Stan for the 2240m trip. The gelding out of Naree Rose finished fourth in last Saturday night’s semi-final.

“He (My Uncle Stan) has pulled up alright,” Cashman said. “He is running around the paddock, so onwards and upwards for this Saturday night.

“If he gets the right draw, he can be very competitive.”

Cashman,59, is cautiously optimistic about his gelding’s chances.

“We are very excited about it (being in a Group 1),” he said. “He made the three-year-old Vicbred final last year and the Breeders Crown final last year as well.

“He has been there, but we are very, very excited to have him through again.”

Just to have a runner in a Group 1 is enough for the hobby trainer.

“I temper that he could win a Group 1, but just having a horse in a Group 1 is a great thrill, you try and race horses to be in a better class and be progressive,” Cashman said.

“It justifies all the hard work and commitment you put in, it makes it worthwhile.”

Jodi Quinlan is set to continue her relationship with the gelding for Saturday night’s $150,000 Group 1 event.

Barrier draw reveals for the 12 Group 1 finals will be revealed on Harness Racing Victoria’s social media channels on Tuesday morning.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria