In the 112-year history of the WA Pacing Cup, only eight horses have won the prestigious harness racing event two years in a row – Beau Don, Pure Steel, Village Kid, Westburn Grant, Our Sir Vancelot, The Falcon Strike, Im Themightyquinn and My Hard Copy – and now Minstrel (Rock’nroll Hannover) has good prospects to join this list of champions.
Minstrel, the shining star among the cast of outstanding pacers under the tutelage of champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond, showed on Friday evening at Gloucester Park that the advancing years have not dulled his brilliance or his superb competitive instincts with a dazzling victory in the 2130m Book Into Beau Rivage For Fireworks Night Pace.
The New Zealand-bred eight-year-old was the $1.80 favorite from boundary four on his second outing after a four-month absence, and driven assertively by Deni Roberts, he cruised to a stylish two-length victory over stablemate Gee Heza Sport ($3.50), with star pacer Mister Smartee ($5.50) 5 meters further back in third.
Minstrel was involved in a fast turnaround time of 35.7 seconds. and charges forward after 500 meters before relaxing with opening 400 meter sections of 31.4 seconds. and 29.7 sec. and flying home with final quarters of 28.5 sec. and 26.7 sec. He rated a smart 1.54.9.
MINSTREL REPEAT
Minstrel raced without cover before taking the lead 600 meters from home to win the Pacing Cup by half a length from Mister Smartee last November, and now Mrs Bond is optimistic about his prospects of winning the $450,000 Cup over 2.536 million on December 12.
“He’s good enough to win another Pacing Cup,” she said. “I have an affinity with him and know him inside and out. I know what he likes and what he needs.
“We don’t race him week in week out. We know he will stay fit. He rarely does hopping work. In recent weeks, after galloping in the sand behind the bike, we take him to Kwinana beach where he wades in the water.”
In addition to his success in the 2024 Pacing Cup, Minstrel, whose wins include the 2021 Golden Nugget and the 2022 Fremantle Cup, has revealed his class by placing in the past two Nullarbor final races. He finished second to Catch A Wave in 2024 and third behind Mister Smartee in April this year.
“We will certainly try to take part in the Nullarbor (a $1,250,000 event on April 17 next year) as long as he is happy and healthy,” Ms Bond said. “We haven’t had any major problems with him and we can take pretty good care of his feet.”
Roberts was delighted with Minstrel’s performance on Friday evening, saying: “He felt great and he was very relaxed, which was good for him. We went four deep into the corner early. It was a quick lead and then we had a chance to catch our breath. Finishing the last quarter of 26.7 seconds was great. Everyone thinks he’s tough, but he’s also quite fast.”
Roberts has formed a wonderful partnership with Minstrel, having ridden him 25 times for eleven wins, six seconds, three thirds, a fourth and four unplaced tries. The gelding has now raced 74 times for 28 wins, 25 placings and $1,661,773 in prize money.
For full race results, click here.
Through Ken Casellasfor Gloucester Park
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