Family means everything to greyhound racing’s Whelan family, who are based in the Gippsland town of Metung.
And on Friday night at Sandown Park the family unit – which is led by Peter and Monique, with help from two of their sons, Luke (21) and Harley (24) – will vie for their second Group 1 victory in the $762,500 TAB Melbourne Cup (515m).
Lakeview Walter is their Cup contender, a greyhound which they bred, own and train themselves.
“We couldn’t contain our excitement when he won his (Melbourne Cup) heat,” Luke Whelan said. “It was such a thrill.”
“We are relatively new to the sport and to have made it into a Melbourne Cup makes us feel as though we have done things right.”
Team Whelan run and own a bridge building business in Metung and work together to look after their kennel. Victory in the TAB Melbourne Cup would see their hobby return a $500,000 first prize in less than 30 seconds.
Lakeview Walter will exit box six at the starting price of $10 in what is undoubtably his toughest assignment yet.
“Walter can win from box six, but it is going to be a lot harder from the outside of the track, especially considering Aston Rupee is near the fence,” Whelan said.
“He is a natural railer, but he might benefit from interference from the inside boxes.”
“This year’s Melbourne Cup is anyone’s to win, especially after the box draw.”
Walter claimed the Group 1 Silver Chief final at The Meadows, where he defeated two fellow Melbourne Cup contenders in Aussie Secret and Jepara.
Following the victory, Peter said that “you wouldn’t have found a prouder man.”
Well, imagine how proud he will be if they pick up the greatest greyhound race in history – the TAB Melbourne Cup.
WATCH: LAKEVIEW WALTER (1) capitalised on a dream rails draw to score an impressive tab Melbourne Cup Heat victory in 29.25sec, just .01 off LALA KIWI’s best of night heat win.
Group 1 TAB MELBOURNE CUP FINAL (515m)
Sandown Park, Friday 8:53pm – First prize $500,000
1 AUSSIE SECRET (Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC)
2 JEPARA (Angela Langton, Anakie VIC)
3 KOBLENZ (David Geall, Lara VIC)
4 ASTON RUPEE (Glenn Rounds, Devon Meadows VIC)
5 LALA KIWI (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
6 LAKEVIEW WALTER (Monique Whelan, Metung VIC)
7 TIBERIA BALE (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
8 KINSON BALE (Samantha Grenfell, Anakie VIC)
Reserves
9 TYPHOON SAMMY (Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC)
10 JAX BALE (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
