Herbertson maintains perfect record on Mach Dan

An early race manoeuvre from the in- form James Herbertson paved the way for Mach Dan (Mach Three) to return to the winner’s stall at Melton for the first time in more than 12 months. 

Initially,  Herbertson was intent on leading with Mach Dan who engaged in a spirited duel for the front  with Yambukian in the first 200 metres of the race before Herbertson was able to take hold and slot in behind the leader. 

Meanwhile, the $2.60 favorite Catch A Wave landed in the one out one back trail on the back of his main rival The Lost Storm ($3). 

The race changed complexion approaching the home turn when The Lost Storm began to give ground while Catch A Wave appeared to be labouring out three wide with Mach Dan travelling kindly awaiting his chance along the sprint lane. 

Mach Dan ($5) peeled off the back of Yambukian at the top of the home straight and finished the stronger to score by a metre in a mile rate of 1:53.0 for the 2240 metres. 

The James Herbertson driven, Mach Dan has taken out the first race on the card the TAB We're On Pace for trainer Emma Stewart. pic.twitter.com/BowHV44RFH

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 10, 2024

Herbertson agreed the ability to take a sit behind the leader was crucial to Mach Dan’s winning chances. 

“Finding the fence was a big plus,” Herbertson said. 

“He has been running some great races off the fence so he was always going to be hard to beat in the run, I had them pretty well covered on the turn,” he said. 

The win continued Herbertson’s perfect strike rate on the Emma Stewart trained seven-year-old with the pair combining to score at Melton in July 2021. 

Herbertson admitted he was concerned when Catch A Wave landed in the perfect trail. 

“Catch A Wave ended up in the right spot but I could see he wasn’t going all that well from about the 900 metres and The Lost Storm had a hard run against quality horses,” he said. 

Herbertson believes the multiple Group 1 winner can still be competitive at Grand Circuit level. 

“He still has the high speed and he can still win at that level with the right run,” he said. 

Mach Dan has now won 28 of his 78 starts and is on his way to becoming an equine millionaire with more than $963,000 in stake earnings. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink