Warwick Farm preview: Doyle backs Llewellyn in metro debut

Courier-Mail

01-07-2025

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Apprentice jockey Shannen Llewellyn impressed new boss Nathan Doyle with her winning ride on Aroha Stone and he didn't hesitate in keeping the combination together as they make their metropolitan debuts.
Llewellyn had only been with Doyle's Newcastle stable for 10 days when she guided Aroha Stone to a near two length win from Cha Cha Cha over 1600m at Gosford.
It was also just reward for Aroha Stone who was just pipped by stablemate Caltsar at Kembla the start prior.
'They did get all the favours. They went lickety-split up front and she just camped behind them,' said David Dyson, Doyle's racing manager.
'That was Shannen's (Llewellyn) first ride for the stable and she did everything right.
Shannen Llewellyn will again ride Aroha Stone. Picture: Bradley Photos
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'She never went around a horse, quickly pouncing on the inside run when it come and they were too strong late.
'Each run this preparation has been good in its own right. It was just good to see her get the monkey off her back last start.
'Hopefully she can go on with it now.'
Aroha Stone steps out in the TAB Handicap (1600m) where she has drawn ideally in barrier 5.
'Nathan has always thought she was a metropolitan class filly and she gets the chance to prove it this week,' Dyson said.
'Shannen started with us on June 9 - she is on loan to us for three months – and she is a very hard worker, very dedicated to what she does.
'Nathan had no hesitation in keeping her on this week. The minute we nominated Aroha Stone for this race, we told Shannen she had the ride.
'They have drawn to get the perfect run and Shannen's three kilo claim brings her into it quite well.
'If they get the breaks, lightning might strike twice.'
Doyle loyalty also extends to Andrew Gibbons who sticks with Mornington Pier in the Hawaii Five Oh @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1600m).
Gibbons had to work overtime to guide Mornington Pier to a first-up win at Newcastle when he came from last to run down Dalio and Tango Queen.
'He was first-up over 1400 metres and Andrew rode him every step of the way. He never travelled at any stage,' said Dyson.
'I spoke to Andrew about him a couple of days ago and he said 'it wasn't until the 150 metres where I thought I was going to win'.
'It was a really good effort to actually win.
'He came to us with the thinking he was a stayer but in his trials he looked a little sharp which is why we went to 1400 metres first-up instead of a mile.
'Everything he did prior to coming to us suggested he will get a trip and what he showed us the other day says the same thing.
'He will appreciate stepping up to the mile and will be even better as he gets out further.'
Doyle also saddles up Mercy Me who makes her debut in the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1200m) for two-year-old fillies where she has barrier 5.
The daughter of Hellbent has been very good in her trials including a last start win in her Wyong heat on June 16.
After leading, she was given a shake up after straightening and extended nicely before pricking her ears near the line to beat Raging Force.
'She was asked to find the line by intent in that trial,' said Dyson.
'Nathan has a very good opinion of this filly.
'She is a very sharp filly and drawn to get a beautiful run in the race.
'Ash (Morgan) rode her in her trials and was keen to ride her on race day.'
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Trainer John Thompson couldn't have been happier with the way American Starlet performed first-up and gives her a great chance to break through.
The daughter of American Pharoah was the victim of a wide barrier when resuming in the 1200m Midway Handicap at Rosehill on June 14.
Having to go back to last in the field of 14, American Starlet was spotting the leaders a conservative eight lengths approaching the home turn before closing nicely between horses to finish just over two lengths off Motoscafo in fifth place.
'She ran really well first-up. She closed off very well and the jockey (Braith Nock) came back very happy,' said John Thompson.
American Starlet has fared much better in the draw this week where she drew barrier 3 in the Castelvecchio @ Arrowfield Handicap (1400m) with Braith Nock again on board.
'This is another nice race for her. Up a little bit in distance suits, she's got a good draw and a good rider so she ticks a few boxes,' Thompson said.
'The good draw is the key. She is going to get a nice run from there.
'I would expect she is box seating and be prominent in the finish.'
While American Starlet is one of the favourites in her race, Thompson saddles up a couple of long price runners in other races but feels they can run cheeky races on a likely heavy track.
Welcome Gypsy has been a victim of outside barriers in both starts back from a spell forcing her to endure wide runs in Benchmark 78 races at Randwick.
She has again drawn out in the Brave Smash @ Yarraman Park Handicap Benchmark 72 (1000m) where she has gate 9.
'She just can't draw a barrier,' Thompson said.
'This is a good drop in grade for her though so that should help.
'She can run a much improved race.
'She loves it wet, a Heavy 10 is her go. She's a swimmer.
'The draw could turn out to be not so bad because they will probably want to get to the middle of the track. She will go forward and make her own luck.'
Stablemate Hellaine also has a wide gate to overcome in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1200m) but will relish the wet track.
'She hasn't had much luck of late. Doing it a bit tough up front,' he said.
'We will ride her a bit quieter this week and I expect her to run alright.'