Forgotten trotter – Five Wise Men back in work

Five Wise Men (Muscle Hill) is back in work for harness racing trainers Craig and Aimee Edmonds but probably won’t be seen at the races until the New Year.

The now five year old was named Three Year Old Trotter of the Year in 2021 after he won the Hambletonian (G3), the New Zealand Trotting Derby (G1), the Sires Stakes Trotting Championship (G2), the Northern Trotting Derby (G1) and the Three Year Old Ruby (G1).

The following season as a four year old Five Wise Men had fourteen starts recording four thirds.

“We were really happy with the way he went considering he was racing the likes of Sundees Son (Majestic Son) and to run a placing in the Dominion against those really tough horses was a really big effort,” co-trainer Aimee said.

Five Wise Men last started at Omakau in January 2023, running second to Hurricane Hill (Muscle Hill).

“After that he had a break and then he had a wee niggle in the suspensory. We turned him out, treated it, gave him some time and looked after the leg doing everything right by him.”

Edmonds say the injury is now behind them and the gelding is back jogging.

Although the Edmonds train at Woodend Beach Five Wise Men won’t be doing his work there.

“With that sort of injury we’re better off keeping him on a harder surface. The beach would be good to work on but getting there through the forest and soft sand would be too hard on him. Davey Butt has got a good track for him to work on.”

Aimee says with the time off Five Wise Men has developed into his large frame.

“He’s filled into himself and that time off was probably a blessing because he’s still relatively young for a trotter.”

The Edmonds have a Majestic Son filly out of Harriet Hughes (Sundon) the dam of Five Wise Men and the mare is due to foal to Royal Aspirations (Monarchy).

They also have another member of the family down to debut at Addington tomorrow night.  A Fine Patrick (Father Patrick) is out of fifteen win mare Harriot Of Mot (Monarchy) a half-sister to Five Wise Men.

“He’s looked pretty good at the trials but obviously it’s a step up on race night. But what he’s done so far has impressed us and we’re happy with him. He’s had a few standing starts at the trials just to keep him away from the mobiles and to keep him settled.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink