A short Radius is best at Melton

The adage ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again’ may well apply to the harness racing pacer Radius (Art Major) who broke through over the sprint trip at Melton. 

With Jackie Barker in the sulky, Radius ($8) settled three back along the pegs and was able to track through along the sprint lane in the home straight to get up and score by a neck from Skinnydip in a mile rate of 1:53.9. 

Jackie Barker has weaved Radius down the sprint lane to win the TAB We're On Pace for trainer David Barbetti. pic.twitter.com/6YekADt7XK

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) May 11, 2024

It was the nine-year old’s 21st attempt at breaking through over the 1720 metre trip at headquarters, having been previously placed on five occasions without winning. 

Barker believes the David Barbetti trained pacer is racing at his peak. 

“He’s an absolute gentleman to drive and I think he’s been racing in career best form lately,” Barker said.

“He’s felt really sharp in all his races and it was nice to be able to drive him quiet tonight and get a nice suck along the pegs,” she said.

Barker conceded Radius’s best form has been over longer distance events. 

“He’s always been known as being a bit more of a stayer than a sprinter but I’ve been really impressed with him in his last few runs and I really think that he’s loving his racing at the moment and Dave’s been doing a really good job with him,” she said. 

Barker recently regained the drive on Radius. 

“Mick (Bellman) was driving him for a while there and then he was up in Sydney and couldn’t drive him and I was lucky enough to get the steer and if you go well on them then you stay on them,” she said. 

“I like driving him so hopefully I get a few more goes yet.” 

The win was Radius’ 14th success from 121 race starts and the son of Art Major has amassed more than $187,000 in prize money. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink