Horse racing: Local runner Herbert takes victory in New Plymouth feature

Herbert, ridden by Harry Grace, scores a hometown triumph in the Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup. Photo / Megan Liefting

Local runner Herbert claimed the biggest win of his career to date when he raced clear in the final stages of the feature event at New Plymouth on Saturday, the Group 3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m).

Trainer John Wheeler has never lost faith in the 4-year-old gelding, who he part-owns with a pair of fellow New Plymouth locals including former Taranaki Racing Incorporated chief executive Carey Hobbs, even when the son of Sweet Orange recorded five runner-up finishes before breaking his maiden status at his 11th trip to the races.

Herbert has now gone on to win four of his next 10 starts, with Saturday’s three-quarter-length victory unlikely to be his last.

Rider Harry Grace had his mount travelling sweetly in the trail behind pacemakers Opawa Jack and Solidify before angling two off the fence rounding the home bend.

Grace asked for an effort and Herbert bounded clear to down the late-closing Matamata visitor Midnight Blue, while another local Loch In Ora finished close up in third.

Hobbs was finding it hard to conceal his delight as he described the feeling of winning his local cup.

“That takes a lot to beat as to win your hometown cup is unbelievable,” Hobbs said.

“Wheels has had massive faith in this horse, but he hasn’t always delivered. He’s just a big kid and what a huge thrill.”

Grace was delighted with how his mount performed after behaving perfectly on his way to the start.

“The team have obviously done a great job with him as when he was going around to the gates, he was half asleep,” he said.

“He had a good win last start and that obviously brought him on for today.

“It felt like there was plenty of tempo on, which was perfect, as it didn’t give him the chance to think too much until he straightened up and he already had the job done by then.”

Bred by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ), Herbert is a son of the All American mare Ze One and hails from an extended family that includes Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Dark Destroyer and Group 1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) winner Festal.

He has now won five of his 21 starts and more than $211,000 in prizemoney.

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk