Ken Casellas | Photo Credit: Hamilton Content Creators
Up-and-coming star Minstrel easily withstood some early pressure from Perfect Major before romping to a commanding win over that pacer in the 2130m Walk4Blake For Brain Cancer Free-For-All at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Star reinsman Ryan Warwick was full of praise for the New Zealand-bred four-year-old Minstrel, saying: “He was as good as we thought he would be. It was the easiest run he’s had in this campaign.”
And regarding the perceived pressure from Perfect Major, Warwick said: “Not really, they weren’t quick quarters, and he has been running quicker quarters off handicaps (in stands). His win at Pinjarra first-up four starts earlier was with quick quarters. He might look deceiving in that he was copping pressure tonight, but that’s not the case.”
Minstrel, the $1.20 favourite from the No. 1 barrier, certainly was not extended in winning by 5m from Perfect Major and rating 1.55.6 over the 2130m. After opening quarters of the final mile in 30.1sec. and 29.9sec. he dashed over the final 400m sections in 28.1sec. and 27.9sec.
This was Minstrel’s fifth win from five starts in his current campaign and he boasts a fine record of 23 starts for 13 wins, six placings and $268,274 in stakes. His 12 starts in WA for champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond have produced nine wins and a second placing.