Country apprentice Shannon Llewellyn has two mounts on Saturday at the Newcastle Jockey Clubs race meeting and both will be well fancied. The talented apprentice is on loan from Bendemeer trainer Jane Clement to Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle for three months after moving to Newcastle in recent weeks. She rides the Doyle trained Nordic Star in the 1200 metre Skillsons Constructions Provincial 3YO & Up Maiden Handicap. The 3-year-old filly had no luck in the closing stages of her only start on a soft track at Hawkesbury on June 17.
Nordic Star was friendless with punters drifting to $10.00 however the filly was making good ground late before she was flattened by a horse shifting out abruptly. Eighth over the line Nordic Star was promoted to fourth when jockey Ash Morgan successfully lodged a protest.
The filly was trialling well leading up to her debut and Llewellyn, who normally rides at 55 kilograms will most likely claim 2 of her 3-kilogram allowance. Nordic Star has a positive inside barrier. The country apprentice has only had one ride for Doyle, and it was a winner – Aroha Stone at Gosford on June 19.
The lady’s other mount is Sonofdec in the final event, the 1890 metre P&K Garage Doors Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap. The 4-year-old was very disappointing when sixth of seven at Gosford last start, but he didn’t appear comfortable on the tight track. He normally races back in the field however he does race well on his home track at Newcastle. Sonofdec has been runner up in both starts this preparation. The gelding should have won here on June 7 when beaten a nose after being checked late in the race. Llewellyn, who has ridden 56 winners this season can claim 3 kilograms as Sonofdec was handicapped to carry 62 kilograms.
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher will be represented by the Kiwi bred filly Invisible Magic in the opening event the 1400 metre Fay & Kalan Memorial Maiden Plate. The 3-year-old has placed in all three starts at Warwick Farm, Newcastle and on the Kensington track and is well placed under the set weight conditions. She was held up in the straight then hit the front when run down and beaten a head on a soft track on the Kensington track on June 11. Invisible Magic can be slow to leave the barriers, but she will appreciate the long straight. Former Newcastle jockey Louise Day has the mount.
Imported four-year-old Inncourt, very impressive in landing a plunge in his Australian debut at Wyong on June 8 will be hard to beat in the 1400 metre Hunter Street Chambers Class 1 Handicap. At Wyong he was last to leave the barriers and travelled to the tail of the field before making ground very wide before the home turn. Inncourt stormed home to put his nose in front in the shadows of the winning post. He will be suited by the longer straight and Chad Lever has the mount.
The Archibald stable has booked Aaron Bullock to ride their consistent 3-year-old Superhero in the 1200 metre Ellejayne Realty Benchmark 64 Handicap. He has been a runner up in two of three starts this preparation at Kembla and on the Kensington track.
Local eyes will be on Newy as he lines up for his second start in the Independent Mobility & Rehab Super Maiden Plate short-course 900 metre sprint. Trained by Newcastle’s own Kris Lees and representing the popular MyRacehorse syndicate, Newy has captured the interest of plenty of Novocastrians. The colt will be well supported on track and is expected to take improvement into this run. With Andrew Gibbons in the saddle, hometown backing and a top stable behind him, he’s one to watch.