The Whelan family have enjoyed fairy tale success with G1 performers Lakeview Walter and Lakeview Cruiser in 2021.
And it seems they’ve produced another Lakeview ‘magic act’ with the dramatic turnaround in fortunes of Lakeview Lola, which is chasing her fourth straight win at Sale on Sunday night in the Cutler Cup special event over 650m (race 8 @ 7.22pm).
After taking 17 starts to break her maiden, Lakeview Lola has won three on end, gapping her rivals in her last two victories over 520m, scoring by 10 and 6.5 lengths respectively, clocking a BON 29.39sec on both occasions.
“It seems like she’s turned it around,” said Luke Whelan, son of trainer Monique.
“She’s always had plenty of ability and her trials were good but it just took her 15 or 16 starts to show it in her races.
“I think it’s just been a matter of getting some confidence and a bit more experience and learning the caper.
“She’s definitely got a motor. Mugs don’t run 29.30sec at Sale!”
On Sunday the homebred daughter of My Redeemer and Lakeview Grace, a litter sister to Lakeview Maisey who’s the mother of the Whelans’ G1 Silver Chief hero Lakeview Walter and G1 Australian Cup placegetter Lakeview Cruiser, will step up to 650m.
It will also be a steep rise in class with her opposition including the prodigiously talented Highly Explosive, which boasts a blistering 29.16sec PB at Sandown Park, and Jayville Slick, a finalist in the G1 Galaxy in Perth earlier in the year.
“She’s always run home well and stepping her up in distance helps get her on the bunny and boosts her confidence,” Whelan said.
“She’s been over 650m earlier on but she’s more confident and going better now.
“She’ll have to get across from box eight but it looks like she’s got a bit of early speed on them so hopefully she can pounce on the lead and then they’ve got to run her down.
“But she’ll have to be at her best to beat dogs like Highly Explosive and Jayville Slick and in that company I’ll be happy if she can run top three.”
Lakeview Lola is a litter sister to Lakeview Max, which has won four of his five starts but hasn’t been seen in action since February.
“Lakeview Max is just around the corner and hopefully he hasn’t lost too much,” Luke said.
“After making the (G1) Harrison-Dawson final, Lakeview Walter hurt himself up in Brisbane. I’m not 100 per cent sure where we’ll see ‘Walter’ and ‘Cruiser’ next but hopefully they’ll surprise a few!”
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