Latest News

By Tony Megahey

High on winning momentum and confidence, first-year apprentice Shannen Llewellyn and three-decade north west trainer Craig Martin offer plenty of incentives at Thursday’s Quirindi TAB meeting.

Shannen’s 19% winning strike rate from 49 winners is phenomenal for a newcomer and she has rides in six of the seven Quirindi races, being in demand with a 2kg claim.

The young rider has two rides for Tamworth-based Martin, a previous Country Trainer of the Year and Hunter premiership winner, and Shannen rates his newcomer Lord Protector ($1.75 favourite on TAB) her best.

Apprentice Shannen Llewellyn - has six mounts at Quirindi. Image by Bradley Photographers

In some training feat, Martin produced the eight-start Victorian staying maiden discard to win a Moree 950m maiden with Shannen first-up off three 2000m starts last April-May.

At this level of racing, as good as it gets. Lord Protector (Savabeel) was moved on after failing to break through for the astute Busuttin & Young Cranbourne training team before Craig spelled him for six months.

Shannen rode Lord Protector at Moree with 59kg two weeks ago ($2.30 fav) and claims 2kg off 59.5kg into the Werris Creek Sports Class 1 Handicap, 1200m at Quirindi on Thursday.

In a steady form race, winning form and placings in tougher Victorian races, albeit over longer, Lord Protector will take no end of beating.

“Amazing off staying form, I rode him work, Craig had him forward and asked me about the 950m - I thought maybe he needs longer but he was just far too good for that grade," said Shannen, a keen form student.

“We were three-wide with no cover but he just kept coming. I think he’s still fresh enough for 1200m, second-up in better grade.

“The Victorian provincial form (three placings) is strong for this grade. I rode him work the other day, he’s come on, is toey and a big strong type - Craig has done a super job.

"he's only four and being by Savabeel, he’ll win more races and he does have second-up form.”

Shannen was enthusiastic about the chances of another previous ride, Harsh Mistress ($5) for Gunnedah’s Sally Torrens with 57.5kg less her 2kg claim in the Elder’s Killara Feedlot Mdn, 1200m.

“Another Victorian, we’re drawn out, but she’s been so unlucky, lovely filly with only three starts, beaten twice in photos and she could have won both.

“We protested in one, she’ll win sooner rather than later.”

Shannen, apprenticed to leading regional trainer Dubbo’s Brett Robb, at present is on loan to Jane Clement near Tamworth.

Shannen’s family is originally from Lismore, they moved to the Central Coast where Shannen started work with Tim Boland in pre-training and then Kim Waugh before accepting an offer from Robb to ride work.

She had near 40 trials for Robb and Cody Morgan to secure her licence and came under notice riding Elson Boy for her first win at Dubbo for Darr Lunn in a lead-up to his win the WRA Country Championships win there in March.

The astute veteran needed a capable claimer and was impressed what he had seen from Shannen and predicted a bright future. He’s been spot on so far.

Quirindi is a Good 4 under overcast conditions.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Quirindi here