My Uncle Stan ready to be a part of Breeders Crown royalty

Rick Cashman can barely believe his luck as he heads towards the Woodlands Stud ‘Lather Up’ Breeders Crown harness racing final for three-year-old colts and geldings.

The Cranbourne trainer is happy just to be part of a special night at Melton, let alone win a coveted Group 1 title.

“Having a Group 1 starter on the resume, that’s fantastic and all I can do. If there’s a win there, that’s a pipedream,” Cashman said.

“It’s not completely unachievable, but that’s the pipedream. To get a horse into the final is a winner.

“Anything that happens once you make the final is an absolute bonus, there is no expectations other than to enjoy the night. Especially when you take on Emma Stewart’s horses, there is no expectations.”

My Uncle Stan (Sweet Lou) ran a strong second behind the $1.10 favourite Perfect Class in the first semi-final of the series last weekend.

“He’s come through the run well. He’s in good order and I worked him well this morning. I’m looking forward to Saturday night,” he said.

My Uncle Stan has drawn barrier nine for the final with the emergency Haveyoumetted in eight.

“If the emergency doesn’t get a start that puts us three back the inside, which is a perfect place for him,” Cashman said.

“He just hugs the rail and hope you have a bit of horse at the end of the running. If we come out of eight, (driver) Mick (Bellman) will work that out himself.

“He has got gate speed, so he should be able to hold the speed of the horse in front of him if he chooses.”

The 59-year-old Cashman has had a lot of good mentors over the journey who have helped him amass 27 winners and over $200,000 in prizemoney.

“I’m great mates with Rob Auber. I’ve known Rob for 25 years,” he said.

“I owned horses with Rob, then I took a year off work in 2009 and did a course on training and driving and it just started. I got involved with Gordon Turner and Arthur Fulwood, who are both old trainers who have passed on.

“I picked up a mare from Arthur and bred from the mare five times.”

Winner of the second semi-final Oliver Dan is the current $1.70 favourite from gate two, with My Uncle Stan regarded as one of the outsiders with the TAB at $81.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria