Uncle Chan vying to go back-to-back at Blenheim

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

The Craig and Aimee Edmonds-trained Uncle Chan will be vying to make it back-to-back wins at Waterlea Raceway on Sunday when he lines-up in the Grove Tavern Mobile Pace (1850m).

The son of American Ideal was victorious at Blenheim on Friday after a runner-up effort at Nelson last weekend, and his trainers were pleased to see him rewarded for his efforts of late.

“He has a lot of speed and he was able to show that on Friday,” Aimee Edmonds said.

“John (Dunn) drove him perfectly and he capitalised on the run.”

Edmonds has been pleased with the way Uncle Chan has come through the run and she is hoping for a repeat performance on Sunday when partner Tim Williams takes the reins.

“He has come through the run really well, he is nice and bright, and he was bouncing around in the paddock this morning when he got his rug changed,” Edmonds said.

“I am expecting another nice run on Sunday, but it will obviously be a little bit harder from the draw (8).”

Uncle Chan is owned by Lawrence Chan, who also shares in the ownership of stablemate Five Wise Men.

The Group One winner is gearing up for another promising season and Edmonds said last season’s star three-year-old trotter isn’t too far away from a return to the trials.

“He had a couple of trials in December and had a week and a bit off over Christmas. He is back in work now, so he is not far away from another couple of trials,” Edmonds said.

“We will play it by ear after that and find a suitable race for him. There are a couple of mobiles coming up which we might have to go to.

“With his rating at the moment he is too highly assessed and would be off the back marks (in the standing starts). We might just have to line him up in a mobile.”

Five Wise Men took Edmonds and her father, Craig, on the ride of a lifetime last year and they are looking forward to the future with the exciting gelding.

“He is the sort of horse that gets you out of bed every morning. He is Dad’s pride and joy so he puts a lot of work into him,” Edmonds said.

“This year will be a transitional and growing season for him. It is definitely not going to be easy, after his first couple of runs he will come up against the likes of Sundees Son.

“He is going to learn a lot this season, which will stand him in good stead for next season.”