There’s plenty of excitement and a few nerves as Louis Emerson prepares to follow in his legendary grandfather’s footsteps at Shepparton this evening.
The 20-year-old is the grandson of champion reinsman Brian Gath and will have his first race drive tonight.
He will partner the Gath-trained Jersey Sam in the Guardline Security Services 3YO Maiden Pace, where he will start from barrier eight as the sole runner off the back line.
“I’m excited and a tad nervous, but just treating it like a trial drive and (I) just (want to) get around safely and do everything right,” Emerson said.
The Bendigo local said he hadn’t been coaxed into harness racing by Gath, but admitted to drawing plenty from his experience in the sport.
While records are somewhat sketchy dating back to his early days, Gath has driven over 3600 winners, highlighted by the 1978 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final victory with Markovina and 1992 Miracle Mile triumph with Franco Tiger.
The 77-year-old was earlier this year awarded the Gordon Rothacker Medal for his services to the industry.
“Grandad didn’t push me to be a trotting driver, I chose to get in the game and give it a shot. But I think he wanted one of his grandsons to make a driver or be in the game,” Emerson said.
“He’s always helping me with advice at the trials and in trackwork as well. Also, when watching races either at home or down the pub, he tells me what a driver did wrong and what they should’ve or could’ve done instead.”
Emerson is the son of Darren and Kylie and currently works for Alex Ashwood and his partner Tayla French.
“They are hard-working people and have helped me along the way to be a better driver,” Emerson said.
“Dad’s side have bred and own horses and Mum has been in the trots all her life, but has been a hairdresser for a long time. Dad has been a printer with his father for a long time too.”
Win, lose or draw this evening, Emerson will be back in the sulky on Friday at Maryborough when he teams up with Greg Norman-trained Strawberry Delight.