Emily Ends Group Hoodoo In Shepparton Cup

GRAND female Lakeview Emily has put to bed one of the sport's great anomalies by annexing the Group 2 Shepparton Cup (450m) on Saturday night.

Going into the $40,000-to-the-winner decider, Lakeview Emily had previously contested seven group race finals without the ultimate success, with a group race victory the one major tick missing from her glowing resume.

But after setting the pace for the Shepparton finale and drawing box one, it appeared the Whelan family wouldn't get a better chance to claim group glory with their grand racer, and she produced in sensational fashion on the big stage on Saturday night.

In defeating her seven male counterparts, Lakeview Emily, a daughter of the great Fernando Bale, extended her record to 23 wins from 51 starts, with her prize money ballooning to $464,000.

Runner-up in last year's Group 1 Brisbane Cup, Lakeview Emily stopped the clock in a sizzling 24.78, after taking up the running from box one with relative ease.

Finishing runner-up in the Shepparton Cup was grand campaigner Fernando Phil from box eight, backing up his fourth placed finish in last year's final behind Explicit.

Third was Leo Bale, the son of Christo Bale again showcasing that he's knocking on the door for a Country Cup triumph when the stars align.

On a big night of racing at Shepparton, the Stayers Special Event (680m) went to Raya Star in 37.07 while Field Day returned to racing with a dominant win in the Tony McGrath Memorial.

The son of Hooked On Scotch stopped the clock in 24.84.