Minstrel and Deni Roberts Photo by Pacepix
WHILE a fantastic WA Derby rightly takes centre stage, the returns of WA’s two best pacers Minstrel and Magnificent Storm provide a heck of a side dish at Gloucester Park tomorrow night.
The two rising 10-year-old millionaires start their run to the $450,000 Group 1 WA Pacing Cup on December 11.
In Minstrel’s case, he is chasing his third successive win in the state’s most prestigious and historic race.
Minstrel, who boasts 32 wins and $2,100,323 in earnings, hasn’t raced since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 17.
Remarkably, the gelding has only raced three times this year, landing a win and a second back in March.
Magnificent Storm, who has won 51 races and $1,856,088, is back from a shorter break, having won his past four starts, the most recent at Gloucester Park on August 21.
He ran third in Nullarbor five starts back.
With the advantage of barrier four, Minstrel is $1.65 favourite.
But Magnificent Storm boasts explosive gate speed if asked and is $2.80 from out in gate eight.
If there is to be an upset with the glamour pair both resuming, it could come from Minstrel’s “Team Bond” stablemates Golden Lode (gate 11, $9) or We Walk By Faith (10, $9.50).
Team Bond also has the hugely exciting Heres Herbie returning from a spell as a commanding $1.05 favourite from gate nine in the San Simeon Pace (race six).
Heres Herbie, a brother to classy pacer Gee Heza Sport, looked terrific winning his only two WA starts for Team Bond on April 17 and May 1, this year.
Of course, Team Bond will also be major players in the WA Derby with the tough and exciting Havtimeformiki.
His latest run to sit parked and run a close second was monstrous and he should be right in the finish again despite a wide draw (gate seven).
They also also high-class former Kiwi pacer Kotare Rimu first-up for the stable from gate two.
Kotare Rimu, who won three of 16 NZ starts with another five placings, caught the eye late when a luckless fifth in a heat of the Victoria Derby at his only Australian run when in the care of trainer Andy Gath.
The WA Derby favourite is Gary Hall Sr's Im Stealthy, who made the most of a lovely run to rundown a gallant Havtimeformiki when they clashed two weeks ago.
PHOTO: Pacepix
