Tough assignment ahead for Bond pair

We haven’t seen him since the Gr1 Fremantle Cup back on April 26, but this Friday night Minstrel NZ (Rocknroll Hanover) makes his return to harness racing, and although he’s drawn less than ideal in the Gr2 James Brennan Memorial, he will be looking to secure his spot in the Gr1 WA Pacing Cup in four weeks’ time.

Drawn in barrier seven in what is undeniably a quality field for Friday nights feature, trainer Skye Bond is very happy with his work going into this campaign.

“Minstrels work has been really good, and he has been working as good as he ever has, but first up still, we have a bit of a campaign ahead of us, just keeping that in mind in guess,

“I think there’s nothing like race fitness.”

Deni Roberts will stick with Minstrel NZ this week.

Dylan Egerton-Green is back on board and Tenzing Bromac NZ will also have to overcome an awkward draw, with the six-year-old starting from barrier five over the 2536m trip.

Tenzing Bromac NZ finished in sixth placing in last years WA Pacing Cup and was a winner of his last two starts back in August before heading out for a quick freshen up before this campaign.

“I guess both draws are a little bit awkward and we’re at the mercy of what the other runners do early, about how we drive them, so I don’t think we can make too many plans at this stage, we will just have to see how it unfolds and where they end up and leave it up to the drivers to decide if and when they put them into it.

“Both have been working up well, happy with both of them at this stage.

“Both will head there (The Pacing Cup) and possibly Steel The Show as well.”

With some disappointment after missing out on a start with Steel The Show NZ, a last start winner just five days ago in the FFA at Gloucester Park, but not necessarily surprised with being first emergency with Bond admitting that the field is a very strong one.

“Its good to see so many of the good horses resuming from a spell, it shows you the fast class has been a bit quiet without all of them, so it’s good for the industry to have all of those good horses back.”

The Field:

1. Sangue Reale  (Art Major)

2. Mister Smartee NZ (Always B Miki)

3. Mighty Ronaldo  (Alta Christiano)

4. Talks Up A Storm (Artspeak)

5. Tenzing Bromac NZ (Bettor’s Delight)

6. Jumpingjackmac NZ (Mach Three)

7. Minstrel NZ  (Rocknroll Hanover)

8. WIldwest NZ  (Raging Bull)

9. The Miki Taker  (Always B Miki)

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10. Pinny Tiger (Mach Three)

11. Diego NZ  (Bettor’s Delight)

12. Lavra Joe  (Roll With Joe)

13. Steel The Show NZ (Bettor’s Delight) (Em1)

14. Alcopony (Betting Line) (Em2)

For complete race entries, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA