Herbie is making headlines

Young gun Victorian driver James Herbertson hopes to ride the crest of the biggest wave in his harness racing career into Group 1 glory at Melton’s huge Vicbred finals night on Saturday.

Herbertson, 24, has been a star for years, but his success has gone to the next level with a commanding lead on the Australian Drivers’ Premiership with 219 wins, 31 ahead of Queensland star Pete McMullen.

With well over three months of the season remaining, Herbertson is on target to smash his personal best of 253 wins, which came when third in the national premiership last year.

Herbertson, who is based at Lexton, outside of Ballarat, could become the first Victorian to win the national crown since champion driver Chris Alford in 2020.

While quantity is important, Herbertson has always said the quality of wins would ultimately be the measure of his career.

And those better drives for leading stables are finally starting to come.

Herbertson drove two Vicbred semi-final winners for the powerhouse Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin stable last Saturday night and will drive three of their finalists this week: Heza Punk Rocker (race one), War Dan Buddy (five) and Let Her Roll (six).

Additionally, “Herbie” as he is affectionately known, has two drives in finals – Dichotomy (race three) and Tilly Jayne (eight) – for Victoria’s second leading barn, Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars.

“I’ve always said I’ve spent too much time sitting and watching the big races and wanting to be in them,” Herbertson said.

“It’s starting to come together now. The first thing is to be part of the big races, which I am this week, and hopefully it translates into a win or two.”

Herbertson has drives in nine of the 12 Group 1 Vicbred finals on Saturday night.

“I had the best run of my career for the past three months or so and there’s no doubt driving that many winners puts your front of mind,” he said.

“I’ve really had to prove myself and I think the timing has been good, too, with so many winners leading into big meetings like this one.”

So, who is Herbertson most excited about driving on Saturday night?

“If you’d asked me that before the (barrier) draws, I’d have said War Dan Buddy (race five). I really like how he’s felt in the couple of drives I’ve had on him and I’m annoyed he’s drawn out the back. I still think he’ll run really well,” he said.

“Heza Punk Rocker is going well, but he’s got a tricky draw in a strong field (race one), while Let Her Roll had a few things go her way to win last week and she’s drawn out the back as well.”

Heza Punk Rocker has been backed from $12 into $5, while War Dan Buddy is an $11 chance and Let Her Roll is $7.

Ironically, Herbertson’s best winning chance could be for a less fashionable stable, Gary Donaldson, aboard Zarski in the $100,000 final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

“He’s been really good winning his three starts and he’s got good manners. It’s another step-up, so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s got the X-factor to win a final like this,” he said.

Zarski is $2.90 second favourite by Vytis ($2.20).

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia