Herbertson's "best and most rewarding" win at Addington

By Adam Hamilton 

As James Herbertson charges towards another commanding win in the Australian Drivers’ Premiership, there is one win he will treasure over them all.

The Aussie young gun described last Friday’s win on Tracy The Jet in the $500,000 Ascent as “the best and most rewarding” of his career.

Teaming with close friend Jess Tubbs to win seven months after she lost her husband Greg, who was also Herbertson’s “idol”, meant everything.

“The prize money, the calibre of the race, the stage of that amazing week of racing … it’s as good as it gets,” he said.

“But to do it with Jess, who lost her best friend this year, it just means the world. It takes it to a whole different level.”

Herbertson and Tubbs team up again this weekend in two major races across two countries.

It all starts back at Addington on Friday night when Tracy The Jet tries to stretch her winning streak to eight races in the $125,000 Group 1 NZ Trotting Oaks.

The decision to stay against the girls in the Oaks and drawing the pole has Tracy The Jet a commanding $1.25 favourite to win a third Group 1 race.

The most important part of the 1980m race could be the start given Tracy The Jet was, in the words of Herbertson, “a little steppy” at the start of THE ASCENT and took a few strides to balance up and muster speed to work to the lead.

“I know it looked easy at the finish (of THE ASCENT), but I spent the first 150m on eggshells,” Herbertson revealed.

“The surface was so different to Melton and even in the warm-up I can feel she wasn’t getting her footing like she did back home.

“Thankfully, once she got out and going she was fine.”

Herbertson hopes the experience will benefit Tracy The Jet returning to Addington again, especially from gate one.

“I’d rather be drawn one than not, but I’ve got the second best filly in the race drawn next to me,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s as straight-forward as the betting suggests, but then again, it rarely is on trotters, especially young trotters.”

Herbertson will then be on the first flight out of Christchurch back to Melbourne on Saturday morning for the huge Vicbred finals night at Melton.

He and Tubbs will team-up with favourite Howdy Mate in the 2YO colts and geldings trotting final.

Howdy Mate will have genuine global attention given he’s part-owned by Trackside’s Brittany Graham and top US trainer Nancy Takter.

Since being gelded, Howdy Mate has emerged as one of Australia’s top juvenile trotters with wins at his past three starts, including the $75,000 Nutrien Sales Classic final.

Despite spending about five weeks in the US and Europe mid-year, Herbertson has driven 306 winners in Australia this season, giving him a 75-win lead over nearest rival Nathan Dawson.

Last year he finished with 370 winners and won the title by a staggering 93 wins over Pete McMullen.

Just 25, Herbertson is closing in on 1800 career wins.