Herbertson bounces back after health scare

Australia’s premier harness racing driver James Herbertson made a swift and winning return to the sulky tonight (March 3) after a frightening medical episode left him barely able to walk.

The 25-year-old was rushed to hospital last weekend amid concerns he may have developed a blood clot in his leg.

Herbertson first felt soreness last Thursday, but pushed through to drive at Newcastle the following night, winning the $100,000 Group 2 Newcastle Mile aboard veteran pacer Bulletproof Boy – a triumph that secured a berth in the $1 million Miracle Mile and what looms as Herbertson’s first drive in Australasia’s ultimate speed test.

That opportunity appeared in serious doubt with his health concerns, but Herbertson said further testing revealed the issue was not a clot, but a cellulitis infection.

“The leg’s not pretty, but I feel fine and I’m ready to roll,” Herbertson said, before taking up four engagements at Shepparton tonight (March 3).

“My leg got big but the antibiotics got on top of it, luckily,” he said.

Herbertson opened his account with a win last night in race 2, guiding Soho Playgirl (Soho Tribeca) to victory in the Wangaratta Cup @ Shepparton Sunday Pace for trainer Ted Jepsen, describing the mare as “an honest little horse”.

It’s been a rollercoaster couple of weeks for the reigning Australian driving premiership leader, who upstaged some of the nation’s best and international reinsmen to claim the Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship at Albion Park on February 21.

Herbertson said he’d be aware of the cellulitis risks and symptoms in future.

“I was told it usually happens after an open cut gets infected. But I didn’t have anything that I was aware of to start it,” he said.

“They think I might be susceptible to it in future, but I’ll know the symptoms now for sure.”

by Terry Gange for Harnesslink