MInstrel NZ Photo by Pacepix
Fresh from success in last week’s Sky Racing-WA Derby (2536m), the Greg and Skye Bond training partnership are eyeing more glory in Friday’s TABtouch-WA Pacing Cup (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
Christopher Dance produced a stunning display in last Friday’s three-year-old feature and Minstrel and Tenzing Bromac will get the chance at feature success this week.
Minstrel finished third in last year’s Pacing Cup and looks well placed to figure prominently again from barrier two.
Despite missing the JP Stratton Cup (2130m) last month due to early signs of colic, co-trainer Greg Bond said he was still confident he had Minstrel ready to produce his best on Friday.
“He got over it really quick,” Bond told Racing WA Harness.
“You could end up losing the horse if you don’t treat him.
“The race he was going to be in ended up being a slow lead time and the really only ran 1200m.
“We aren’t concerned about him being underdone.
“We will drive him tough as we normally do.”
Minstrel is one of four runners at $4 with TABtouch for the $450,000 event, alongside Pinny Tiger, Captain Ravishing and JP Stratton Cup winner Mister Smartee.
Pinny Tiger, who finished third in the Fremantle Cup (2936m) earlier this year, has drawn barrier one.
Captain Ravishing, who made a stellar WA debut in last week’s Navy Cup (2130m), has also drawn favourably in barrier 11.
Mister Smartee is set to face the toughest test of his career from barrier five this week.
Bond said he was happy Minstrel would be in thick of the action early.
“It’s a good draw for him,” he said.
“It’ll be interesting to see the tactics of the one (Pinny Tiger) and also Jumpingjackmac because he’s got good gate speed.
“The draw puts Minstrel in the firing line.”
Tenzing Bromac, who was placed behind Mister Smartee in the James Brennan Memorial (2536m) last month, is set to have a tough task in the Cup from barrier eight.
Bond said the pacer would need things to go his way in the event.
“If it’s a strong run race he’s a chance,”
“With a bit of luck, he might be able to get a track into it.
“He’s got the ability to win a race of this nature.”
Meanwhile, Bond said he “couldn’t be happier” with Christopher Dance, who is set to line up in Friday’s Barbagallo Rolls-Royce Pace (2536m).
