Minstrel shows qualities with WA Cup win

Iron pacer Minstrel (Rocknroll Hanover) proved beyond doubt his state as the State’s pacer with a herculean win in Western Australia’s harness racing showpiece, the Group 1 $450,000 Western Australia Pacing Cup at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

Although the draw looked as if it had fallen into place for Minstrel with an ideal barrier two position the question was whether he would be able to lead or have to chase his nemesis Magnificent Storm who was out in barrier eight.

The two had a stirring clash a fortnight back in the Brennan Cup when Minstrel sat outside Magnificent Storm and outstayed him. There was an expectation that Magnificent Storm could improve enough to turn the tables.

And so the WA Cup turned out to be a copy of that race with Minstrel unable to hold out Magnificent Storm at the start and driver Deni Roberts immediately going up to race outside the leader.

Aiden De Campo drove a masterly front running drive. Mighty Ronaldo came off the second row to obtain the one out and one back trail while Mister Smartee was snagged four back on the rails and under lock and key.

Magnificent Storm ran his second quarter in 28.7 seconds and De Campo looked to have Minstrel beaten on the final bend when he moved over a length clear of Minstrel and the rest were struggling to keep up.

But Minstrel showing all those fighting qualities that we have seen kept going and refused to give in. He was able to get the better of Magnificent Storm in the shadows of the post to score by half a neck with Mighty Ronaldo seven metres away in third. Minstrel rated 1.54.4 for the 2536 metres and in winning repeated his success of the WA Cup in 2024. Deni Roberts who had the honour of being the first woman driver to win a WA Cup last year was also able to go back to back.

MINSTREL REPLAY

Minstrel through virtue of his success has now broken the two million dollar stake earnings barrier with $2,024,113 earned by 31 wins, and 26 placings from 78 starts.

An excited Deni Roberts exclaimed

I was just in awe of him. Storm had him beat on the corner. And just credit to him, he just finds that gear he made up a length and a half in the straight. That’s when they should be out and out. He’s just unreal. On him youv’e always got that confidence when he straightens he’s going to fire again. He keeps getting better.

Trainer Greg Bond stated that

The immediate plans are for a brief let up for two weeks and the we’ll work him up again.

Bond has three specific aims for early next year all in the West.

He will be set for the $50,000 Pinjarra Cup on 2 March having won that race for the last two years. Then he’ll go for the Group 1 $1.25 million Nullabor on 17 April and then a week later the Group 1 $300,000 Fremantle Pacing Cup.

He’s a rising nine year old travel doesn’t frighten us. If we travel to the East there’s an issue with the planes. We can get across to Melbourne OK but it’s the return trip that is the problem.

In the immediate term it seems doubtful that he could come over the AG Hunter Cup or Miracle Mile in the first quarter of 2026 and in addition it seems unlikely that Minstrel will be able to tackle the the Inter Dominion in Brisbane in July 2026 which is a long way to go. Nonetheless if he was to make the trip to the Eastern States he would be a worthy representative for Western Australia.

For trainers Greg and Skye Bond it was their second West Australian Pacing Cup having won with Mighty Conqueror in 2020.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink