Don’t miss watching history being made

REGARDLESS of where you are at 9.14 on Saturday night, make sure you’re tuned into race six at Club Menangle.

Be it via television, radio or your phone, you don’t want to miss being able to say “I remember that” when discussions surface about the time history was made.

Because history is what can be expected according to premier trainer Craig Cross.

Cross is set to contest the event – a New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge Final – with boom freshman Bar Room Banta.

Unbeaten from three starts since joining Cross’ stable, the son of A Rocknroll Dance earned his position in the Group One by capturing his semi in an Australasian record 1:50.3 a fortnight ago.

Bar Room Banta’s time slashed a second off Ignatius’ two-year-old record and 1.3 seconds from the two-year-old colts’ mark held by Divine State and Hardhitter.

To win the $125,000 decider, Bar Room Banta, or one of his opponents, will have to become the first of their age to better 1:50 in the southern hemisphere!

“A bit will come down to wait kind of night it is, but I can’t see them going any slower than what they did in the semi,” Cross said.

“That said, the winner will likely have to break 1:50.”

Despite his impeccable tally, which sits at four wins and a second from five starts, and his Australasian record, Bar Room Banta is on the second line of betting at $3.20 with TAB Fixed Odds from barrier eight.

Tasty Delight, which also broke the record in defeat after racing in the ‘death seat’, heads the market at $1.80.

Victorious in the Group One Bathurst Gold Crown in March, Tasty Delight boasts five wins and two placings from seven starts.

The Brian Portelli-trained gelding has drawn gate seven.

“Tasty Delight is clearly the one to beat,” Cross said. “As good as Bar Room Banta went in their semi, Tasty Delight was impressive.

“It sets the scene for a terrific Final.”