Lakeview Emily is as graceful as a prima ballerina.
Like life imitating art, as in the famous ballet Swan Lake, she's transformed into a symbol of beauty.
Lately, Lakeview Emily – trained at Metung by Harley Whelan, 26 – has been 'en pointe' displaying a 'classical repertoire'.
And now she's poised to 'pirouette' in the $220,000 Group 3 Launching Pad final (515m) – Race 6, 8.25pm – at Sandown Park on Thursday night.
"She's right up there with 'Walter' and 'Cruiser'. But they've got the runs on the board."Lakeview Emily (Feb '22 Fernando Bale x Lakeview Maisey), who is dancing for a fourth straight win, is set to 'jete' towards a $150,000 first prize!
Last week, she was the fastest semi-final winner (29.31sec) notching her fifth win from 10 starts at SP. She was only 0.04sec off her 29.27sec PB established in a Launching Pad heat.
Subsequently Lakeview Emily (Box 2) is all the rage at $2.20 on Sportsbet's fixed odds betting for the final.
Amazingly, Lakeview Emily – six wins from 14 starts – was somewhat an 'ugly duckling' early in her career – taking six starts to break her Maiden status.
"She's always had it, but the consistency of racing has brought it out in her… She's more mature," Whelan said.
Whelan added he "couldn't be any happier" with her box draw.
"It's the place we want to be. We're stoked with the 'check' trap.
"But there are two dogs I'm worried about – Mepunga Reward (Box 3), because he's super strong, and Humidity (Box 6), as he may hold the key in the early stages."
Mepunga Reward ($4.50) and Humidity ($10) won their heats in 29.37sec and 29.50sec respectively.
Lakeview Emily is a younger full sister of "Metung Marvel" Lakeview Walter, who won the 2021 G1 Silver Chief at only his seventh start. He was a four-time G1 finalist, having also contested the Temlee (4th), Harrison-Dawson (4th) and Melbourne Cup (7th) – all also in 2021.
His litter brother, Lakeview Cruiser, was third in the 2021 G1 Australian Cup.
"As far as ability goes, she's right up there with 'Walter' and 'Cruiser'. But they've got the runs on the board," Whelan explained.
Whelan provided an insight to Lakeview Emily at home, saying "all she does is sleep". "She's quiet and goes with the flow – although when she comes out of the race kennels, she's pretty full on."
But when the 'curtain opens' for the Launching Pad final, Whelan will be hoping it only takes 29 seconds or so for the sport's 'principal dancer' – Lakeview Emily – to receive a 'standing ovation'!