Bond team shaping well for Fremantle Cup attack

Trainers Greg and Skye Bond will be out to score their second Retravision-Fremantle Cup (2936m) harness racing success in the space of three years when they launch a three-pronged attack this Friday night.

2022 winner Minstrel (Rocknroll Hanover), Ideal Agent (American Ideal) and Tenzing Bromac (Bettor’s Delight) will be the Bond’s representatives in the $300,000 feature, which Greg also won in 2006 with Money Magnet.

Minstrel gets the chance to join the likes of Chicago Bull, Im Themightyquinn and Village Kid by becoming a multiple winner of the race, which he also ran second to Mighty Ronaldo in last year.

The seven-year-old solidified his standing as one of the key Fremantle Cup contenders with a typically brave second placing in last week’s $1.25 million Nullarbor.

The gelding has drawn in barrier 11 this week and will start on the back of fellow key contender Hot And Treacherous.

Greg Bond said he expected Minstrel, to be driven by Deni Roberts, would likely find himself having to do the bullocking work again on Friday.

“It’s a nice draw for him and we can poke through in the running line,” Bond told The Trots WA.

“At some stage he will be the breeze horse and we will leave that up to Deni to decide what she wants to do and when she wants to do it.

“Minstrel will be right in it.”

Tenzing Bromac rounded out his Fremantle Cup preparation with a third placing behind Pinny Tiger in last week’s Nullarbor Consolation.

As he did last week, the six-year-old has drawn barrier 10 on the back of Lavra Joe for this week’s feature and will be driven by Dylan Egerton-Green.

Bond said he was confident Tenzing Bromac would play a part and get his opportunity to score a feature race win on Friday.

“It’s a good draw for him because he will be leaders back or three back,” he said.

“He ran third in the Golden Nugget in track record time, and he was five pegs in that one, then he came wide and found the line well.

“I was a little disappointed with him last Friday but that’s just because we’ve got a big opinion of him.”

Ideal Agent drew barrier four and Bond said he hoped the pacer would need a softer run.

by Tim Walker, for RWWA