| HORSES |
YEAR: 1960
 |
Emulous, whose death was reported recently, was one of the greatest pacers to race in the Dominion. Many will recall some of the clashes the big Jack Potts pacer had with another undoubted champion, Highland Fling. When these two great pacers were on the way up, opinions as to the respective merits of both were some-what divided, but suffice it to say that they were both champions in their own right and created keen interest wherever they appeared.
A big horse with a tremendous stride, Emulous was what was referred to by some as a 'pile driver' and his tendency to hit the ground hard with his feet brought on periods of soreness and it said a lot for his trainer-driver, W K Tatterson, that he reached the heights he did.
Emulous commenced racing as a 3-year-old in the 1943-44 season, and at his first start finished fourth to Scottish Emperor, Acropolis and Native Scott in the NZ Futurity Stakes which was that year run at Addington. In five more starts that term Emulous recorded a second in the Hutt Handicap at Wellington and a third in the Trial Handicap at Ashburton.
Emulous opened his 4-year-old season on a winning note when he won the second division of the View Hill Handicap at the North Canterbury Racing Club's meeting in October, and he followed up that success by winning the Metropolitan Challenge Stakes at Addington. In the event he turned the tables on Native Scott and Scottish Emperor, who finished second and third respectively. His next six starts that term resulted in four minor placings and a win.
As a 5-year-old Emulous made good judges sit up and take notice when he won nine races, seven of them consecutively. In all he started 15 times that term and was out of the money only once - at his first appearance for the season. His successes included the Le Lievre Handicap at Addington, the St Heliers Handicap, the Ranfurly Handicap, the President's Handicap and the Premier Handicap, all at the Auckland Trotting Club's summer meeting, and the President's and Flying Handicaps at the Addington Easter meeting.
Emulous started only four times as a 6-year-old, but he carried on his winning way to the extent of three successes in a row. He won the President's Handicap at Addington, pacing the mile and five furlongs journey from 12 yards in 3.28; he won the Flying Stakes at the same meeting; and on the third day won the Easter Stakes, returning the fast time of 3.10 2/5 for the mile and a half.
After several placings in the early part of the 1947-48 season, including a second to Highland Fling in the Lightning Free-for-all at Addington, Emulous regained the winning list in the Pacers' Championship qualifying race on the first day of the Inter-Dominion Championship series at Auckland. In the second qualifying race Emulous was beaten into second place by Knave Of Diamonds, but came back on the third day to win the Grand Final from 36 yards. Highland Fling, who was considered his most serious rival in the final, failed to gain a place after losing ground at the start and tangling later when making a forward move.
By this time Emulous and Highland Fling were clashing, and although Emulous gained several places before the season ended, he did not win another race that term. In six appearances in the 1948-49 season, Emulous won one race, the Flying Handicap at Forbury Park, a race he won from 60 yards, pacing the mile and three furlong journey in 2.53. That was his last success. In four subsequent starts he failed to finish in the money and was retired from racing.
Emulous was the 1940 foal of the Peter Chenault mare, Light Wings, who also left Lightning Lady, Sirocco and Golden Lady. He was bred by Mrs M A Haslett, Rakaia, in whose name he raced, and he was trained and driven throughout his career by W K Tatterson, In all, Emulous won £22,654 in stakes, the result of 18 wins and 20 placings.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 17Aug60
YEAR: 1948
AUCKLAND - EMULOUS
In 1948 conditions for the first time decreed that the horses winning the Grand Finals would automatically become the Grand Champions. A record crowd of 31,000 cheered Emulous to victory in World record time of 4.12.4 on the grass track.