Banta goes boom with track record-breaking run

Classy Victorian pacer Bar Room Banta headed to Leeton tonight with an unbeaten record in New South Wales and he certainly did not disappoint.

Despite not having won a race since November last year, the colt by A Rocknroll Dance bounced back to claim the first heat of the 2021 Breeders Challenge.

And he did not just win it – Bar Room Banta smashed the track record in the process clocking a scintillating 1:54.2!

The previous record for the 1758m distance was 1:54.7 that was set by Sports Candy last April.

Bar Room Banta was sent north by trainer Michael Stanley just for this race and the three-year-old colt was driven by top Riverina reinsman Blake Jones for the first time.

“I was pretty happy to get the call to drive him,” said Jones.

“It’s not every day you get the call to drive a horse like him . . . it’s a privilege.”

After starting from barrier four, Jones let Bar Room Banta roll to the lead where they dictated the tempo from there.

The quarters were 29.1, 30, 28.6 and 28.1 seconds with Bar Room Banta kicking clear of his next rival, The Stain, by more than five metres.

There was also a Breeders Challenge heat for the three-year-old fillies at Leeton tonight where the first emergency About To Peak gained a run and won.

The Stephen Maguire-trained filly had a great battle with rival Gracie Taltoa and held on by a half-neck.

About To Peak clocked a career best 1:56.7 in the process.

The daughter of Artspeak, a winner of three races prior to tonight’s effort, was the $1.75 favourite despite being the first emergency for the race.

“I couldn’t understand how she was the emergency to be truthful,” said Maguire.

“She’s a little bit behind but this run will top her off.”

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink