Minstrel back with a vengeance as he targets 3rd WA Pacing Cup

Outstanding veteran pacer Minstrel (Rocknroll Hanover) could not have been more impressive in his first start since a long spell when he led his harness racing rivals a merry dance in the Garrard Horse and Hounds Open Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The nine year old gelding flew the mobile gate to hold out his arch rival Magnificent Storm and from then on Deni Roberts drove a confident race to allow Minstrel to stroll along to keep his rivals off the bit.

Roberts let Minstrel go in the final lap and in running his last two quarters in 27.8 and 27.3 seconds he quickly found a gap to the rest of the field and he strode to the line just under 13 metres ahead of Brickies Dream and Golden Lode a credible third.

MINSTREL 30 OCT REPLAY

Roberts expressed her confidence in Minstrel’s effort.

It wasn’t a surprise at all. I’ve just been so happy with him at home. He’s just pacing so well. He’s ticked every box at home and I was expecting when everything’s right the gate speed follows. He was really good off the arm. Storm (Magnificent Storm) didn’t really have much chance of getting him tonight but it is the closest they’ve drawn together too, so all them factors come in. But it’s a lot easier in front.

Magnificent Storm after racing outside the leader ran out of condition on the final bend and finished in front of just one horse. However he will be better for the run and improvement should be expected in future events as he prepares for another WA Pacing Cup.

There were some definite pointers in the event and trainers Greg and Skype Bond in addition to Minstrel would have been delighted with the efforts of Golden Lode and We Walk By Faith who finished third and fourth respectively.

Golden Lode who was having his second start this time in made a run three wide at the bell and stayed out there for the final lap, fighting on hard to finish third. He ran fourth in last year’s WA Cup and will be prominent in the forthcoming features.

Their other starter We Walk By Faith looked desperately unlucky as he was under lock and key on the rails with driver Will Rixon looking for a clear room as they turned for home. When he got clear he flashed home for an eye catching fourth. He’s proved to be a real revelation for the Bonds and will be another worthy contender for the big races coming up.

But this was Minstrel’s night and he can only get better as he tries to win a third consecutive WA Pacing Cup. The Group 1 $450,000 feature will be staged at Gloucester Park on 11 December and if Minstrel goes to the lead like he did last night then it will take a very good horse to run him down.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink