The David and Catherine Butt-trained pacer dashed along the passing lane to beat brave Otago star Spirit Of St Louis in the 3yr-old feature at the Gore Christmas meeting.
The pair both made flying beginnings from behind the mobile, Minstrel taking the lead before handing over to Spirit Of St Louis after a short battle.
There were few changes after the field settled in single file, before Minstrel and Spirit Of St Louis set down for a home-straight battle.
Minstrel got the better of his provincial rival, reeling off a sizzling 26.6sec last 400m on a Gore track that had been slightly affected by rain, to win impressively for driver Ricky May.
"He is a really nice horse and you would think he is only going to get better," May said.
"Davey said he had a lot of gate speed and he certainly does. It was very good win."
Yesterday’s victory and his previous win at Winton mean Minstrel has qualified to start in the group 2 Southern Supremacy Stakes at Ascot Park later this season.
Another of yesterday’s features went to Canterbury when Bettathanfast won the Gore Cup.
The Cran Dalgety and Nathan Purdon-trained pacer held out runner-up Lawrence by half a neck to win the 2700m race.
Yesterday’s feature trot was won in highly impressive fashion by Humble Ladd for trainer Phil Williamson and driver Rory McIlwrick.
McIlwrick produced a confident drive, hooking his horse out of the one-one to sit parked for the last 1500m of the 2700m contest.
It proved a winning move when Humble Ladd scored an effortless win by a length and a-half.
