Top WA trainers ready for Victorian raid

Minstrel’s unbeaten record could be put to the test at harness racing’s Tabcorp Park Melton on October 9.

Greg Bond, co-trainer with wife Skye, told RSN 927’s Gait Speed today his talented four-year-old would likely lead a posse of the stable’s top performers to Victoria for an October assault, which would also likely take in the Derby and Oaks Group 1s.

“We’ve got a handful of horses we think might be up to it,” Bond said. “Obviously our fast class horses are up and running at the moment, The Mighty Conqueror and Minstrel head that list.

“It would be nice to bring both of those if they were deemed worthy of a start, I’d like to at least bring one, and we do have some nice three-year-old colts, geldings and a couple of nice fillies, they will probably front the races early next month.

“We’ll have a chance to get two, probably three starts into them. Assuming they perform how we think they can and we’ll make a call then.”

Minstrel, winner of Gloucester Park’s $200,000 Golden Nugget in February, has won all five of his West Austalian starts this campaign, improving his career record to 13 wins from 23 outings.

His most recent success came on Friday night when he scored by five metres in the $25,000 free for all.

“After Friday night, and without being disrespectful to the opposition, they’re not Victoria Cup horses, but (driver) Ryan (Warwick) said at the 600 when one of the drivers on the outside started growling at his horse (Minstrel) just grabbed up (and) just wanted to get going.

“We haven’t gotten to the bottom of the well on him yet, that’s going to happen … I’m quite excited on the future.”

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From Harness Racing Victoria