Experience prevails in $150,000 Group 1

Ace harness racing driver Luke McCarthy knows what it takes to win the Breeders Challenge.

The 38-year-old had won 12 of the Group 1 finals in his career and added to that at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night courtesy of Bar Room Banta’s success in the three-year-old boys final.

Giving McCarthy his 13th success in the series, which replaced the former Sires Stakes in 2008, makes him the most successful driver of the series.

As for Bar Room Banta, the son of A Rocknroll Dance made it back-to-back finals after claiming the two-year-old final last season.

Drawn outside the front row on Saturday night, Bar Room Banta had to do it tough outside the leader, however, McCarthy was able to control the race from there.

Race favourite Titian Raider held the lead from barrier one and the quarters were rolled through in 26.8, 29.5, 27.2 and 27.2 seconds.

Bar Room Banta kicked clear to win by more than four metres and cause a slight upset in the process, rating 1:50.7.

“He was super tonight,” said McCarthy.

“His run last week was really good and he worked like a jet on Thursday which gave me so much confidence.

“Full credit to this fella, he did all the hard work and got the job done . . . he was super!”

Bar Room Banta extended his record to nine wins in 17 starts and earnings of $257,490

McCarthy, the older brother of Andy and Todd McCarthy, has driven 72 Group 1 winners.

To view the results from Menangle on Saturday night click here.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink