‘Herbie’ among placegetters on the big stage in USA

Australia’s leading driver James Herbertson is finding his feet as the latest Down Under harness racing reinsman to test the waters in the United States.

Herbertson made his first appearances at Harrah’s Philadelphia and the Meadowlands in New Jersey and was in good company with expat Aussies Todd and Luke McCarthy and Brad Chisholm, along with former New Zealander Dexter Dunn driving at the meetings.

Herbertson, 25, finished among the placegetters in four of his eight drives so far – two placings at Harrah’s and two at the Meadowlands on Friday night.

“He’s thoroughly enjoying it – but he does miss his own bike over there!” Herbertson’s mum Jody, of Lexton, near Ballarat, said yesterday.

“At his very first drive, he got a second placing. Then he followed up with a third, fourth and a fifth.

“On Friday he did a double-header driving at Harrahs (6th and 8th) and that night finished second and third at the Meadowlands. He was thrilled to pick up an outside catch drive, but I think he was surprised to find there’s no driver fees over there.”

Herbertson will spend a little over another four weeks in the US at the stable of leading trainer Ron Burke.

Then he will head to Sweden on May 20 for Elitloppet (May 23-25), to be hosted by trainer Jorgen Westholm, who last year took in another young Victorian reinsman in Ryan Sanderson.

“It’s just an incredible opportunity to get experience and learn as much as I can,” Herbertson said prior to leaving.

Last season Herbertson was a breakaway winner of the Australian National drivers’ title with 370 wins –100 clear of his nearest rivals. He plans to return home by mid-June.

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink