Matthew Barkla will saddle up his first runner when Radiant Knight steps out at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.
Barkla has had a long career in racing.
Limited opportunities and weight halted a career in the saddle, while he’s trained and driven harness racing winners and worked for the likes of decorated former SA horseman Geoff Webster.
In recent years Barkla has switched focus to riding trackwork for the likes of Peter Nolan and the Searle stable at Gawler, working behind the barriers at the races, along with training Radiant Knight, a horse who he had experience with before finding his new home via an Inglis Online Auction in March.
The son of So You Think, who started in Sydney with Bjorn Baker, has had just 12 starts and was placed twice in January at Mount Gambier and Oakbank when under the care of Nolan.
“The horse is really well,’’ Barkla said.
“His work has been good, he’s drawn a nice barrier and has a good jockey (Jess Eaton) on board so hopefully he can run well,’’ he said.
