Dashman's harness examination - February 23

Catch up on the week's harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.

HERBIE UNSTOPPABLE

The incredible rise of James Herbertson continued with the 25-year-old scoring an emphatic victory in the second Ultimate Driver Championship at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Leading after night one action, the series was as good as over after the first race on Saturday with Always Dancing taking victory for Herbertson and trainer Alyce Finnis.

If there was a turning point in the Championship, it likely came in the seventh race on Friday night.

Up until that race, Gary Hall Jnr was looking set to be the clubhouse leader for night one.

Hall Jnr had already grabbed two wins and had the odds-on favourite and number one draft pick for the Gloucester Park Gurus, Victree Charlie.

But, with a fifth placing the best that the series leader could squeeze out, it was Herbertson that moved within one point of the top spot when grinding out a tough win aboard Grey Cadillac.

Hall Jnr relinquished the leaders green cap following race nine.

Cam Hart’s name momentarily sat at the top.

That was before Herbertson hit the front for the first time after Look For Tascott scored in the last race of night one.

Capturing the lead, Herbertson would remain in front throughout Saturday’s action and stamped the title with four winners on the 10-race card. 

He finished the series on 192 points and a winning margin of 54 points.

With the winners crown safely secured, the battle for the remaining podium positions came down to the last race.

Hall Jnr, defending champion Angus Garrard and Hart all had a chance of grabbing the minor placings.

Hart dropped to fourth place after a last place finish aboard King Hit in the 20^th heat. 

Hart was four points adrift of Garrard and Hall Jnr, with the quinella pairing from 2025 being declared joint second placegetters on 142.

For Herbertson, the title completes a quintet of trophies that will likely never be held by the same driver at once.

The UDC crown joins a current trophy cabinet that includes the Australian Drivers Premiership, Australian Drivers’ Championship and Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship.

TOM MISSES METRO MAIDEN

Tom Callaghan was given a wonderful opportunity to partner with Fernco Nel in the Hondo Grattan Stakes on Saturday night at Menangle.

It created a bittersweet twist for the 19-year-old.

Callaghan took the reins for Chantal Turpin behind classy four-year-old Fernco Nel and as they eyed a berth in the Chariots Of Fire.

It meant that he was not at Albion Park for night two of the Ultimate Driver Championship to see Sir Richard Lee in action.

The eight-year-old gelding is the only horse that Callaghan trains.

He secured his first training win when the gelding scored at Redcliffe in November.

And, Saturday night's win for Sir Richard Lee became his first metropolitan victory.

Gary Hall Jnr took the drive aboard Sir Richard Lee and sent the gelding hard off the gate in search of the lead, where he was able to take control and defy the chasers. 

Ironically, Callaghan would have missed the chance to see the race live, with just eight minutes between the race at Albion Park and Menangle, where the preliminaries for the Hondo Grattan would have been underway.

Joy soon turned to despair as Fernco Nel was forced to work hard through the opening 800 metres, which included a jaw-dropping 25.6 second opening split as race favourite Double Lou led and would go on to victory.

The Queensland-trained stallion faded to finish at the rear.

FINAL DEADLINE QUALIFIES FOR CHARIOTS

Final Deadline stamped his ticket to the nation's leading four-year-old feature with a fast-finishing second in the Hondo Grattan Stakes on Saturday night at Menangle.

Sliding across from gate eight to find the running line, Adam Sanderson was patient aboard the Shannon Price-trained four-year-old.

Sanderson waited until approaching the home bend of the long Menangle straight to angle wider.

Looming strongly, he ran the winner Double Lou to a half-head margin, with the final quarter in 26.3 seconds.

Seasider hit the line impressively, running on from the rear to grab third for Amanda Turnbull.

It will be the second Chariots appearance for Sanderson.

He partnered with the Price-trained Sure Thing Captain in 2024.

They finished seventh behind Frankie Ferocious.

Reason To Shine was taken south with Final Deadline and justified the trip with a powerful finishing burst to claim victory in a new personal best 1.51.8 mile.

The mare has been a consistent performer throughout her career, claiming a seventh career victory on Saturday to complement 22 minor placings from 51 starts.

THIS WEEK

Across the week there will be five race meetings, three from Albion Park and two from Redcliffe, with Sunday evening set aside for the harness awards night.

The first two-year-old race for the season in Queensland will be held on Tuesday at Albion Park, with seven acceptors lining up.

The Newcastle Mile will be held on Friday night with a ticket to the Miracle Mile on the line and the Donny Smith-trained Cheerstolou is set to head south in an attempt to qualify.

On Saturday night at Menangle, trainer Daren Garrard will have a number of runners engaged, including talented four-year-old Sinabun who is being aimed at the Chariots Of Fire via the Paleface Adios Stakes.