Herbert ready to strike back in class
Jess de Lautour • October 29th, 2025 12:38 PM • 3 min read
Taranaki galloper Herbert will be back on top of the book in open company at Tauranga on Saturday after starting his season competing at the elite level.
The son of Sweet Orange went from a one-race winner in 12 starts to a six-race winner in 24 starts last season, racking up just shy of $360,000 in stakes with key victories in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and lucrative $350,000 Wairere Falls Classic (1500m).
That success was a reward for patience from his trainer John Wheeler, who never lost faith in the early days.
“He was a very difficult horse to teach to race properly, he did a lot wrong and tried to run off, would over race fiercely and never did anything right,” he said.
“It took us about 10 starts before we got him racing right, but he always showed us a lot of ability.”
Herbert stepped up to Group One company for the first time this term when resuming in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m), where he finished a respectable 10th, but faded after leading second-up in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m).
Wheeler was rapt with the first of his two efforts and is looking to get a line on his gelding on Saturday when he drops back in grade and distance in the Bayleys Mount Maunganui 1300.
“His first run was outstanding, he finished only about three lengths from the winner, and it was especially a good run because he didn’t have a trial leading into it, they were mucked up,” he said. “He was pretty fresh.
“His second run was disappointing, he led and then hit the wall about 300m out. I think he may have been going too quick for his own good, the split times will tell you that, and I don’t think he was all that happy on the track that day either.
“I’ve been very happy with him since, he’ll run on Saturday at Tauranga and we’ll decide where we go from there.”
Carrying the topweight of 61kg, Herbert will be ridden by Craig Grylls, who is just one win shy of the top of the premiership standings behind Opie Bosson.
Joining Herbert on the trip north will be stablemates Lord Donovan and Tranzed, the former returning to raceday after just over a year.
The son of Lord made headlines when winning on all three days of the New Zealand Cup carnival in 2023, and since then he has continued to perform with merit in Rating 75 grade. On Saturday, Wheeler is hopeful of a bold showing first-up in the Super Liquor 1200.
“He’s done really well this time, we’re really happy with him,” Wheeler said. “This race is probably a distance short of his best, but I expect a very good run from him.”
Tranzed may also find the sprint trip of the Gartshore Construction (1300m) a touch sharp, having been most effective over staying distances including a 10th placed finish in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) last November.
“He’s had a couple of stone bruises which has held him up a little bit, so we’re a bit behind the eight-ball,” Wheeler said.
“He’s racing in a race quite a lot short of his best, so I’m hoping he can get through it and race well and I’ll be happy. I’m aiming him at the Dunstan Stayers.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
