Minstrel NZ Returns to WA with a Bang
Minstrel NZ taking out the Group 1 Golden Nugget earlier in the year. Photo Credit- Hamilton Content Creators
Minstrel NZ has returned to WA in winning fashion after taking out the sixth at Pinjarra yesterday. Trained by Greg and Skye Bond and driven by Ryan Warwick, the talented NZ bred gelding started as the $1.12 favourite and was too good for his rivals when skipping away for 7.8m victory.
After taking out the Group 1 Golden Nugget in February this year, Team Bond made the decision to head east with the well performed four-year-old to contest the Chariots of Fire at Menangle. After finishing ninth in the Group One, Minstrel NZ returned to WA where connection gave him a short let up, returning to the races yesterday and the winners circle in 1:56:4.
“We brought him home and he went for a spell. He had done enough, he had a decent campaign in to the nugget and trekking east and back, he’s only a four-year-old,”
“We were really happy with his run (in the Chariots of Fire), he broke 1:50:0 himself and was only beaten 11m, so we thought for his first go at that mile distance at Menangle, he definitely didn’t disgrace himself.” Skye Bond said.
With a big future ahead of him, Skye Bond mentioned that they will be taking each week as it comes for the lightly raced gelding. Yesterdays win took the geldings stakes to $216,287 from 19 starts for 9 wins and 6 placings.
“He will just work his way through the Friday night grades at this stage and we’re hoping he really measures up to a Pacing Cup and Fremantle Cup type horse.
The team has several impressive horses in their stable and after speaking with Skye Bond, heading east with a team of horses for the major races isn’t off the cards.
“We’ve got a couple of nice ones there like Dont Bother Me None that we are contemplating going to Victoria for the Derby with. So, if we end up doing a trip east, there’s every likelihood that we will throw him (Minstrel NZ) on as well. Even a Victoria Cup when and if he tells us he’s ready for it.” Skye Bond said.
The trotters once again opened the meeting with Princess Mila making it two in a row for Gary Hall Snr and driver Gary Hall Jnr. The $1.55 favourite came off a last start win in town and after leading all the way she held on for the win, staving off Dark Secret by 1.9m in the finish.
Two-year-old Paul Edward recorded his first win for trainer David Thompson and driver Lindsay Harper in race two after running down the leader and short-priced favourite. Racing in consistent form, the youngster recorded a mile rate of 1:57:2 over the 2185m trip.
Double westbred Ocean Eve broke her maiden status for trainer Paul Strachan and driver Emily Suvaljko. Settling at the rear, the four-year-old mare by Renaissance Man gave punters plenty to be worried about, but with 200m to go she made her run, eventually winning by 2.1m on the post.
The in-form stable of Donald Harper took out the fourth with consistent pacer Per Ardua Ad Astra leading all the way with Harper in the cart. After starting from barrier two, the three-year-old gelding won comfortably, recording his third career win at just his twelfth start, coming off a last start second in metropolitan company.
Team Bond celebrated a training double on the card, with Maccas NZ starting first up in the state since migrating from New Zealand. Having his third start in a race, the three-year-old saluted for his first career victory with a mile rate of 1:56:9 over the sprint journey.
What a weekend it was for reinsman Michael Grantham who trained a double at Kalgoorlie with his thoroughbreds Hip Wiggle and Johnny Angel. Grantham returned to Pinjarra on Monday to pilot Miss Lamarr to victory after declaring her earlier that morning on SEN Track radio with Tim Gossage. Trained by Michael Brennan, the consistent mare recorded her ninth win and mile rated in 1:56:1 over the 2185m journey.
Ideal Whitby led all the way in the last and got the cash for Kat Warwick and Shannon Suvaljko. After a last start second, the three-year-old was able to go one better at the Paceway, giving connections their fourth win with the gelding in just 14 starts.
Ashleigh Paikos