Herbertson all set for FastTrack 1200’s opening night

James Herbertson got a great taste of the frenetic harness racing action that will be TAB FastTrack 1200 courtesy of an invite to compete in Queensland’s Hot Rods concept during May.

He didn’t strike a winning blow during the 10-race finals night, but the 23-year-old was right in the thick of the action with some epic battles at Redcliffe.

Those Hot Rods races were over the electric 947m trip around the Queensland triangle, and while tonight’s sprints are 1200m events, Herbertson will need to bring the same mindset to Melton.

So how does one approach these six-furlong features?

“Well nearly the same as every race, drive your horse to its ability, but if you’ve got the right horse you have to be aggressive early,” Herbertson says.

“If something happens mid-race or the early burn taxes the front-runners, the swoopers are brought into it.”

Herbertson, the state’s leading driver with 146 winners in Victoria this year, will compete in the first three races on tonight’s card and thinks his best winning chance comes up in the opening event courtesy of the Darren Frew-trained Sheiswatching.

“She has very good gate speed, the 1200m will suit her I think and she’s in with a good hope,” he said.

Love To Deal is likely to start favourite in the second race, but Herbertson is reserved on the chances of the Chris Lang-trained pacer, who is first-up since December 2021.

“Love To Deal has trialled okay without being eye-catching. Strikes a winnable race, but unsure on whether the trip will be in her favour or not,” he said.

Herbertson’s third and final drive of the 1200m series is Fight For Falby.

“Fight For Falby is a 17-start maiden, joins the Zac Steenhuis stable (and) will improve.”

The TAB is the naming rights sponsor of FastTrack 1200 and has built a special around Herbertson – who also has drives in races seven and nine – this evening.

He is $1.30 to drive 1+ winner during the meeting, $3.60 for 2+ and $18 for 3+.

The TAB has also confirmed $1500 First 4 jackpots on all FastTrack 1200 races tonight, with projected pools of $15,000.

For more information and all of the TAB’s specials, click here.

You can watch all the coverage on Sky Racing and at TrotsVision.com.au, and listen to it via RSN927 and SENTrack.

SENTrack will provide extensive coverage of the races, with Damian Watson, Tim O’Connor and Darren Carroll to provide tips, analysis and interviews with trainers and drivers involved on the night.

SEN Survivor has also been launched for the three FastTrack 1200 nights (August 9, 16 and 23) and $500 cash goes up for grabs for the best tipster across each meeting.

To enter and for more information, visit sensurvivor.com.au.

by Tim O’Connor for Harness Racing Victoria