Minstrel gunning for another WA Pacing Cup

By Adam Hamilton 

For the past five years Catherine and David Butt have had something of a Friday night ritual.

It coincides with when they sold a half share in the then emerging pacer Minstrel to Greg and Skye Bond in Western Australia.

Minstrel almost immediately became a Friday night Gloucester Park player, winning the Group 1 4YO Golden Nugget at just his fourth run in WA.

Given the significant time difference between the Butt’s Woodend home in NZ’s South Island to Perth and they’ve burned more than their share of midnight oil staying up to watch Minstrel in action. 

Five years later and after 30 career wins and over $1.76 million in earnings and Minstrel is still doing his thing.

In fact, driver Deni Roberts thinks the rising nine-year-old is racing better than ever.

That means it’s a lock the Butts will be glued to their TV watching Trackside just after midnight this Friday night (12.07am Saturday to be precise) to watch Minstrel try and successfully defend his crown in WA’s most prestigious race, the $450,000 Group 1 WA Pacing Cup.

It’s his fifth crack at the race.

Minstrel has drawn ideally in gate two and is a $2.10 favourite.

“Every year, every time he lines up in a big race, you keep thinking it might be his last,” Catherine Butt said. “Greg and Skye (Bond) have done a remarkable job to keep him racing so long at the top level.

“We’ve flown over to watch a few of his big races, the past two Nullarbors and last year’s Sydney Inter Dominion final.

“We can’t get across this time, but my sister-in-law, Penny Calder, and her husband will be at Gloucester Park for it.”

The Butts bred Minstrel and he was always earmarked to be sold.

“That’s our business, sell the boys and use that money to keep the girls and breed from them,” Catherine said.

“He wasn’t really a commercial proposition being by Rocknroll Hanover, but he raced so well early here we a few offers for him, but failed the vets a few times.

“We really disappointed at the time we couldn’t sell because he was worth good money, but it’s turned out to be a real blessing.”

Greg Bond, one of those who tried to buy Minstrel outright, returned later with an offer to buy half and leave the existing owners in for the other half.

“Along with Habibti, he’s the best horse we’ve been involved with and it’s been such a thrill sharing what he’s done in Perth,” Butt said.

Roberts, who calls Minstrel her “career changing” horse, can’t wait for Friday night.

“I’ve taken so much confidence out of his win last time (JP Stratton Cup) when he did all the work and Magnificent Storm and Mister Smartee had their chance to beat him,” she said.

“The draw is obviously important and he’s going into in the best form of his career, which you pinch yourself about as an eight-year-old.”