How to programatically set the `initialPosition` and `playRate` fields of a SkeletalMeshComponent?

I want to be able to programatically set the initialPosition and playRate fields of a SkeletalMeshComponent. I have been unable to access these parameters.

So, I thought to use an animated_mesh_device, that provides access to these parameters in the UI.

However, these same parameters appear to be inaccessible when I try to access them from the Verse creative device I created for that purpose. Below is an example of how I approached the problem:

 @editable
    myAnimatedMeshes : []animated_mesh_device = array{}

 OnBegin<override>()<suspends>:void=
      for (i:int := 0..myAnimatedMeshes.Length - 1):
            if (aniMesh := myAnimatedMeshes[i]):
                aniMesh.playRate := 5

As I am new to Verse, I am quite unsure about how to approach this seeming simple problem. Any insights as to how to go about solving this problem would be much appreciated.

Hoping to re-activate this question since I am still without solution.