Australian harness racing whiz kid James Herbertson wasted no time in re-establishing his American fact-finding mission, notching two victories on Saturday night’s (May 18) 16-race card at Scioto Downs in Ohio.
Herbertson was resuming his international campaign after briefly returning to Australia for the memorial service of his mentor and great mate Greg Sugars last Monday.
And although he’s put in some long days driving thousands of kilometres a week in pursuit of winners back home, there would be few that would come close to Herbertson’s Saturday program, when he had 20 engagements at two venues over the space of 12 hours.
On Saturday afternoon, Herbertson had four drives at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, in Washington, Pennsylvania, where his best result was a second placing.
He then headed two and a half hours east to Columbus Ohio, where he was engaged to drive in all 16 races on the program at Scotio Downs.
The 25-year-old reinsman finished with a winning double, three seconds and three thirds.
Herbertson won with Nvrpoptdaplugs (Big Bad John) for trainer Todd Luther, and with Leaving A Legend (Bit Of A Legend) for Ron Burke, North America’s all-time leading trainer.
Herbertson and his partner, Victorian driver Ewa Justice, are currently based at the Burke stable, which also hosted the young Aussie at the start of his U.S. tour.
Herbertson’s smooth hands, adaptability and mature judgment are standing up in the high-pressure, front-running style of North American harness racing.
Saturday’s results come after Herbertson’s earlier success at The Meadowlands and will do no harm in establishing the softly spoken Victorian as a driver of international class.
Herbertson will spend another week working with the Burke stable before heading to Sweden to link up with elite trainer Jörgen Westholm ahead of Elitloppet 2025 at Solvalla—a campaign inspired by Sugars’ bold journey last year with Just Believe.
Race photo: Bradley Conrad
