Lakeview Emily claims first Group victory in Shepparton Cup
Star Victorian sprinter Lakeview Emily has broken through for her first Group race success in emphatic fashion, claiming the 2025 Group 2 Shepparton Cup with a blistering all-the-way performance on Saturday night.
After contesting seven Group finals without tasting victory, the Harley Whelan-trained daughter of Fernando Bale and Lakeview Maisey made no mistake from the coveted red rug, beginning swiftly and carving across to hold the lead through the first turn. From there, it was a one-act affair from the $2.10 bookmaker favourite.
The classy white and black bitch carved out early splits of 6.46 and 11.13, stopping the clock in 24.78 – the second fastest time over the 450m this year at Shepparton, bettered only by heat rival Slick Badger’s 24.76.
2025 Shepparton Cup Final Replay – Lakeview Emily (24.76)
Her victory extended her career record to 24 wins from 51 starts and lifted her prize money earnings to more than $470,000.
2024 finalist Fernando Phil again ran bravely for Michelle Mallia, storming home from box eight to finish two lengths second in 24.91, while Leo Bale claimed third after working through early traffic.
There was a tangle behind the leaders early, with Zipping Gryllis, Boracay Storm, and Kraken Whisky caught up in the squeeze, while Slick Badger had no room to muster his usual mid-race surge.
Lakeview Emily’s performance was a fitting reward for the persistence of Team Whelan, with the Shepparton Cup providing a deserved Group trophy for one of the sport’s most consistent and talented females.
With her box speed, versatility, and big-race temperament now firmly stamped, she looms as a major threat in upcoming features, and with a potential Sandgroper slot on the horison, has her as a $12 hope for the feature race in Western Australia.
2025 Shepparton Cup Final Results
2025 Shepparton Cup Final ResultsShepparton 450m Group 2 $40,000 to-the-winner Saturday, March 22, 2025
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| 1st |
1 Lakeview Emily
T: Harley WhelanTime: 24.78Margin:
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| 2nd |
8 Fernando Phil
T: Michelle MalliaTime: 24.91Margin: 2.00 Lengths
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| 3rd |
2 Leo Bale
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| 4th |
5 Slick Badger
T: Shane PulbrookTime: 25.43Margin: 9.75 Lengths
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| 5th |
7 Zipping Gryllis
T: Brooke EnnisTime: 25.45Margin: 10.00 Lengths
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6th |
3 Description
T: Rebecca GibbonsTime: 25.52Margin: 11.00 Lengths
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| 7th |
4 Boracay Storm
T: David GeallTime: 25.70Margin: 13.75 Lengths
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| 8th |
6 Kraken Whiskey
T: Mark MorrisseyTime: 25.73Margin: 14.25 Lengths
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