Herbertson on Inter Dom Pathway

Photo by Stuart McCormick.

THE remainder of 2022 is shaping superbly for top young Victorian driver James Herbertson.

While the likes of NSW pair Cam Hart and Jack Callaghan along with WA’s Emily Suvaljko have been grabbing headlines, it could well be Herbertson over the next five months and beyond.

Herbertson, 22, already a spot booked in the sport’s biggest event, the Inter Dominion, in his home state from November 26

And he’s confident it will be a twin-pronged attack with both a trotter and a pacer.

Australia’s most improved trotter Nephew Of Sonoko secured an Inter Dominion start with his win for Herbertson and trainer Ross Graham in the Wagon Apollo Trot at Bendigo last Saturday night.

Now it’s Supreme Dominator’s turn over coming months to press his case as an emerging player in the pacing series.

“To have an Inter Dominion runner and drive as a 22-year-old, it’s pretty exciting,” the modest Herbertson said.

“I’ve had a lot of success with trotters, so it’s extra special.”

Nephew Of Sonoko downed reigning Inter Dominion trotting champ Maori Law last week.

“It’s great to have our golden ticket in,” Herbertson said. “He loves that week to week racing so an Inter Dominion series (four races in two weeks) will be right up his alley,” Herbertson said.

Although a win in Saturday night’s Our Maestro free-for-all at Melton is not a “golden ticket” race and will not guarantee Supreme Dominator a berth in the series, he already looks safely in.

It is now more about showing he has progressed from a breakthrough campaign late last year to be a major factor in our biggest races.

“He was amazing last time in work. He went from a country class horse to racing in our biggest races in the space of eight to nine starts,” Herbertson said.

“He’s had a decent spell and I’m sure he’s building towards going to another level this time in work.

“He’s not screwed-down yet, but I could feel him building each run before last start when nothing went right at Kilmore. Just forget all about that run.”

The Joe Pace-trained Supreme Dominator has a wide front row draw on Saturday night and Herbertson is keen to make the most of it.

“It’s a pretty good draw (gate six), but there are a few unknowns inside us as far as early speed goes,” he said. “Line Up is the main one (gate two). I’d take a sit on Supreme Dominator if I was Nathan (Jack, Line Up’s driver), but then again, I’m a bit biased.

“I think we can bustle our way to the front and he’d be hard to beat from there.”

Herbertson is thrilled with his emergence as a driver.

“I’m blessed with the opportunities I get. I don’t drive for any of the big stables, but I’m lucky enough to be sitting at the top of the premiership and have some great drives to look forward to, not just these older horses but some lovely three-year-olds as well,” he said.

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp