“Herbie” happy to go border hopping

Victorian harness racing young gun James Herbertson is having an outstanding season in the sulky getting winners everywhere – but, perhaps surprisingly, will get his first-ever look at Adelaide’s Globe Derby Park tomorrow night (Sep. 17).

The 22-year-old from Lexton, near Ballarat, will compete in the 2020 Australian Drivers’ Championship which sees 12 of our country’s leading reinsmen and reinswomen pitted against each other on the same card.

“I’m really excited to be part of it. Competing against the best is certainly something special and I can’t wait,” Herbertson said.

“I’ve visited Adelaide on holidays, but I’ve never driven at the track. It’s half mile, but I enjoy competing on those smaller circuits,” he said.

Herbertson might get some insight about the tight circuit as he is flying the Victorian flag with brilliant reinswoman Kate Gath, who grew up in South Australia. She is now based at Long Forest, about 50kms west of Melbourne, with her highly successful trainer husband Andy.

Other drivers invited to compete across eight races each on the 11 penalty-free event program, include Wayne Hill and Ryan Hryhorec (SA), Gary Hall Jnr and Emily Suvaljko (WA), Cameron Hart and Grace Panella (NSW), Rohan Hillier and Conor Crook (Tas), and brother and sister Pete and Narissa McMullen (Qld).

The championship has been resurrected by SA officials and the first since 2019 when WA superstar Hall Jnr was victorious in Tasmania. Wayne Hill won it in 2016 and two years earlier, Pete McMullen was successful.

Herbertson, who is leading the Victorian State drivers’ premiership, is a noted race form student and reaping the benefits this season of his studious homework.

He said the new circuit and an assortment of horses and stables engaged meant he “had his work cut out” leading into the championship.

“There’s a bit of homework in front of me that’s for sure,” he laughed.

“Back home I can read a race a bit better because I know the horses and drivers, but this is going to be a test. But I never go out with a definite plan, I prefer to have a few options.  Fortunately, I have driven a few of the horses before, which helps.”

Herbertson followed his strong ties to the sport through his dad Ashleigh, who’s been a trainer for over 30 years, and his mum Jody, who was a steward in Queensland before the family moved to Victoria.

“When I was growing up, I preferred to be mucking about on the farm rather than anything to do with the horses,” he said.

“Then dad started using Mattie (Craven) on his horses and that’s when I got keen. I was about 10 or 11 and I thought I’d like to be like him—he’s just got that charisma about him. His brother Glen was also a big influence as well as Jason Lee.

“So, I got into pony trots and for 18 months we went everywhere. Then after I could get my driver’s licence, I was lucky enough to win first-up on Tearitup (It Is I) for dad at Terang on March 9, 2016.”

The memory is never far away with Herbertson having the name Tearitup on the back of his race helmet.

“The horse is still alive and enjoying retirement at his owner’s property in Maryborough,” Herbertson said.

Now with 762 career wins, including four Gr1s, Herbertson also paid tribute to the late Gavin Lang, someone he said he admired and always aspired to emulate.

“I’ve also been helped along the way by Chris Alford and in recent years Greg Sugars has been awesome,” he said.

“I’m excited with what lies ahead for the rest of this season, but I’ve got to keep working hard.”

Herbertson will partner highly talented square-gaiter Nephew Of Sonoko, prepared by Ross Graham, in the coming Victorian Inter Dominion series, as well as Joe Pace-trained Supreme Dominator, a strong competitor in the pacing series.

“I probably drive between 1800 to 2500 kilometres each week to get to meetings. I’m not really attached to any of the big stables.  Dad, Joe Pace and Mick Blackmore are my main support, as well as a lot of little trainers getting behind me,” he said.

“There’s a lot of enjoyment from getting winners for those little guys because it means so much to everyone.”

Herbertson said all the drivers in the championship series had their accommodation booked for tomorrow night.

“I won’t be going too silly – I’ve got to drive at Maryborough the following day, so it’ll be an early start!” he said.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink