Reigning champ primed as title defence continues

REIGNING champion Bar Room Banta is in perfect condition as his title defence continues according to trainer Michael Stanley.

Winner of last season’s $125,000 Final, Bar Room Banta is set to contest a New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge semi-final at Club Menangle tomorrow night.

The son of A Rocknroll Dance was also triumphant during his semi as a freshman, stopping the clock in an Australasian record 1:50.3.

Pleased with the three-year-old’s progress since arriving in New South Wales, Stanley is confident Bar Room Banta can continue his winning ways.

“He’s had two starts back from a break and won them both quite well,” Stanley said. “He’s settled in brilliantly with Luke and Belinda McCarthy, who said his track work has been terrific.

“Luke drove him throughout the Breeders’ Challenge last year, so he knows exactly what he is capable of.”

Drawn wide in barrier 10, Bar Room Banta is a $2.40 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds.

The colt slots into gate eight with the removal of the emergencies.

Titian Raider is considered the main danger from barrier two.

Winner of his last five starts, Titian Raider is listed at $2.60.

“The draw isn’t the best, but not the end of the world,” Stanley said. “No one drives the track better than McCarthy, so we’ve got that going for us.”