Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Star driver Deni Roberts declares that it is all systems go and that superstar pacer Minstrel is poised to return to the winning list when he contests the $31,000 Trotsynd, Join The Fun Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night as he gets ready for the $1,250,000 Nullarbor slot race on April 17.
Minstrel, an evergreen nine-year-old prepared by champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond, possesses the speed and strength to overcome the disadvantage of starting from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line.
“He will be ready to rock’n’roll on Friday,” said an upbeat Roberts. “It doesn’t matter where he draws, he will be a very good chance.
“I was really happy with his first-up second to Magnificent Storm in the Pinjarra Cup (three Mondays ago) and he has come through the run very good.”
Minstrel revealed his typical fighting qualities when he raced in the breeze outside the frontrunning Magnificent Storm, who sprinted over the final three 400m sections of the 2692m Cup in 28.2sec., 28sec. and 27.2sec.
Minstrel, who has amassed $2,033,023 in prizemoney from 31 wins and 27 placings from 79 starts, will be attempting to win the Nullarbor at his third attempt. He was second to Catch A Wave in the big race in 2024, and he led when third behind Mister Smartee and Gee Heza Sport in last year’s event.
Eight-year-old Gee Heza Sport, a stablemate of Minstrel, will be on trial for the Nullarbor when he resumes after a three-month absence. He will begin from the No. 7 barrier and will be driven for the first time by Kyle Symington.
Millionaire pacer Mighty Ronaldo, who ran on from sixth at the bell to finish fourth in the recent Pinjarra Cup, will start from barrier six, and outstanding trainer Justin Prentice has engaged Gary Hall Jnr to drive the eight-year-old. Hall has handled the gelding in 37 of his 79 starts for ten wins, seven seconds and seven thirds.
A strong performance could lead to Mighty Ronaldo lining up in his fourth Nullarbor — after finishing tenth in 2023, sixth in 2024 and fifth last year.
A flying start from barrier four saw Rockandrollartist set the pace and win by more than two lengths from Petes Honour, rating 1.56.3 last Friday night. Rockandrollartist will again begin from the No. 4 barrier, with his trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo saying: “He went good last week, but is up a grade this week, and Minstrel will make it hard for him.”