A searching second with blinkers on at Tuesday’s barrier trials was a strong pointer to Minister donning that equipment for the first time in next Saturday’s $300,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m).
Tracking up in fourth spot, Minister thrusted into gear when given a rev-up by regular partner A'Isisuhairi Kasim upon straightening. The Street Sense five-year-old seemed to have the momentum to finish over the top as he kept lengthening up, but eventually ran Sacred Rebel to a half-length second.
If trainer Donna Logan was looking for a bit more purpose from the shades, she certainly got it.
The New Zealander had all along said the QEII Cup would suit Minister better than the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) three weeks ago on August 18, despite scoring three of his four wins over the mile, including the Group 1 Kranji Mile back in May.
Besides the Thai-owned (King Power Stable) galloper finished runner-up to Top Knight in last year's renewal of the royal race before franking his staying chops with an even more heartbreaking second (only half-a-length behind) to Big Hearted in the Singapore Gold Cup (2000m).
Nonetheless, Logan was still hoping for better than a lacklustre eighth to Lim's Lightning in the Raffles Cup at his last start on August 18.
Logan could have just gone back to the well of distance as the excuse and the QEII Cup will fix it, but she decided to think out of the box – mix things up a little.
"To be fair, the Raffles Cup wasn't really the race for him. He needs 1800m, but we wanted him to be a lot sharper than what he was," said the winner of 60 Group and Listed races in New Zealand.
"They didn't run much of a time today in his trial, but he didn't overrace and was a lot more focused with the blinkers, which was good.
"As horses get older, you try new things on them, so we thought we'd try him with blinkers. Most likely, he'll wear them in the QEII Cup."
Logan said Minister did not have to quicken the way he did, but felt that the blinkers test would be inconclusive without some pressure.
"I just told Harry to let him get through under his own steam," she said.
"But he gave him a squeeze to see if he was more focused. From the style he finished, the blinkers were certainly not detrimental to him."
In a prelude to next week's big day, Logan will be rooting for a last-start winner who may not be in the same league as Minister, but who has been a handy money spinner to the team all the same – Golden Flame.
The Mossman seven-year-old caught his rivals unawares when he showed good toe to dictate terms in a Class 3 race over the mile on August 18, never to be rejoined.
The only other time he was in front at both ends was at his maiden victory in a now-defunct Class 4 Non Premier race over 1000m in 2018, when then prepared by trainer Young Keah Yong.
Logan, however, cautioned the six-time winner may not be ridden so positive when back in trip to the 1400m of Saturday's $70,000 Class 3 race.
"It's a 1400m this time and he may go back to his old role of sitting just behind the speed," she said.
"It's different over 1600m where there's less speed, but mind you, if there is no speed, I'm not opposed to him leading again.
"Yusoff (Fadzli) is back on. It's hard to break a winning combination, and it's a hell of an advantage when you can take some weight off."
Golden Flame will carry 54kgs after three kilos are shaved off his allotted 57kgs. The topweight is Time Lord who is on the quick back-up and dropping back in grade after his dismal last place to Nepean in the Kranji Stakes A over 1400m last Saturday.
