McCarthy sends out stern warning

Premier harness racing driver Luke McCarthy has sent out a stern warning for the Breeders Challenge Semi-Finals at Menangle on Saturday night.

McCarthy will partner smart filly Anntonia in the second three-year-old fillies qualifier and was pleased with his first drive behind the daughter of Bettors Delight in the heat last Tuesday week.

“She felt great,” said McCarthy.

“I know trainer David Thorn had it well documented in the press that she wasn’t quite right leading into the race but she felt good and will show a lot of improvement off that run.”

Anntonia had a month in between starts and came out at Menangle to win her heat in 1:53. Watch below:

Anntonia is the favourite for her Semi-Final on Saturday night.

Another fancied starter McCarthy will also drive is the Victorian-trained Bar Room Banta.

McCarthy won last year’s Breeders Challenge Final with Bar Room Banta where the pacer set the Australasian mile record for two-year-olds when clocking 1:50.3.

With travel restrictions still in place, trainer Michael Stanley has left Bar Room Banta with the McCarthy stable for the remainder of the series.

“After last year’s Final, Bar Room Banta got sick after the long travel back home to Victoria and wasn’t quite right during the Breeders Crown series,” said McCarthy.

“He had some time off and has come back bigger and better.

“He’s had a great preparation into this race.

“He’s drawn wide on Saturday night and has to face the likes of Titian Raider who is flying at the moment.”

Bar Room Banta won his Breeders Challenge heat this year at Leeton where he smashed the track record clocking 1:54.2. Watch below:

He then won at Menangle on October 12 with McCarthy in the sulky.

“He was great that day and did it well,” said McCarthy.

To view the fields for Menangle on Saturday night click here.

Meanwhile, McCarthy also stated that his stable star King Of Swing bypass next week’s Len Smith Mile.

The Grand Circuit champion has had a break following his impressive third in the Victoria Cup on October 9 and will now be set for the Inter Dominion series in Sydney.

By Amanda Rando for HRNSW