Deni Roberts at the 2025 WA Cup Presentation
MIGHTY stayer Minstrel only contested two legs of this year’s Australian Grand Circuit but it was enough to snare him third spot on the points table.
Last night’s epic win in the $450,000 Group 1 WA Pacing Cup, along with his second in April’s Group 1 Fremantle Cup, gave him 160 points to trail only Leap To Fame (320 points) and Don Hugo (230), who contested five and four legs of the seven-race series respectively.
Minstrel revived memories of WA's greatest stayer Pure Steel with his "off the canvas" win last night.
Just as Pure Steel did in the 1970s to win three Hunter Cups and four WA Pacing Cups, Minstrel lifted when leader and main Magnificent Storm looked to have him beaten on the final bend.
It was the rising nine-year-old’s fifth start in WA’s most prestigious race and his second win after last year’s victory.
But this was special.
After losing a spirited early battle for the lead to arch-rival Magnificent Storm, Minstrel was left to face the breeze throughout … again.
When Aiden De Campo dashed away with a big lead on Magnificent Storm rounding the final bend, the race looked over.
But then Minstrel did what only the greats can do.
“I was just in awe of him,” driver Deni Roberts said. “(Magnificent) Storm had him beat on the corner and just credit to him, he just finds another gear. He made up a length and a half in the straight.
“That’s when they should be out and out. He’s just unreal. On him you’ve always got that confidence when he straightens, he’s going to fire again. He keeps getting better.”
Roberts became the first female to drive a WA Cup winner last year and her victory salute on the line last night showed what it meant to defend the crown.
Minstrel smashed through the $2 million prize money barrier with the win. It was his 31st win from 78 starts and the $258,390 first prize took him to $2,024,113.
"And he's done it with plenty of challenges along the way, especially with his feet," co-trainer Skye Bond said. "But he's as good as we've ever had him and he's showing it on the track."
The scorching 1min54.4sec mile rate also smashed Minstrel’s own race record of 1min55sec from last year.
It was Greg and Skye Bond’s third WA Cup win. Along with Minstrel’s two, they also won with Mighty Conqueror in January, 2020.
Despite the enormity of the win, Greg Bond ruled out chasing a Hunter Cup or Miracle Mile with Minstrel.
“Travel doesn’t frighten us, we went to the (2024) Inter Dominion and almost won it, but it’s the difficulty of getting guaranteed flights back home that’s the problem,” he said.
“There’s some good races here at home for him. He can have a bit of a let-up now and get ready for the Pinjarra Cup in March and then the Nullarbor and Fremantle Cup in April.
Australasian Grand Circuit Chronicles
PHOTO: Pacepix
