LLEWELLYN’S BUSY DAY INCLUDES CHASING FIRST SATURDAY WINNER IN TOWN

NEWCASTLE apprentice Shannen Llewellyn is in for a busy but hopefully exciting time tomorrow.

Not only is she seeking her first metropolitan Saturday winner – and at headquarters at Royal Randwick - but also coming “home” afterwards to try to win the closer at Newcastle.

Llewellyn’s master, trainer Nathan Doyle, has entrusted her with the mount on her recent city debut winner Duvana in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m).

Her 3kg allowance will lessen the Australian Bloodstock-raced four-year-old to 55.5kg, and he has drawn nicely in barrier four in a capacity field.

No stranger to travelling distances in search of winners, Llewellyn was en route to Tamworth to fulfil engagements there today when ProvincialRacingNSW caught up with her this morning.

“I’m very appreciative of Nathan and the owners for sticking with me tomorrow,” Llewellyn said.

“Of course I’m really looking forward to riding Duvana again, and hopefully getting my first winner in town.”

Llewellyn clinched her maiden city winner when Duvana bolted away for a thee and a half lengths’ victory in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Australia Day.

She is unbeaten in two rides on the Dundeel gelding, having also partnered him in a first-up Beaumont Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m) triumph on December 13.

That was Duvana’s first start for Doyle since being transferred from leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

Llewellyn had her first Saturday rides in town last Saturday at Randwick when eighth on $41 chance Unreachable, and fifth on Apuntar ($21).

She posted her 111^th career success when her $20 mount Andrea dead-heated with Aligned at Gosford on Wednesday.

Duvana’s Randwick race is scheduled for 2.05pm, and Llewellyn afterwards will drive back to Newcastle to ride Broadway Bouncer for Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan in the 5.35pm Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1250m).

Broadway Bouncer was a late closing fourth to Signor Tortoni in a midweek Warwick Farm Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) on February 4.

“He didn’t begin well and settled a clear last, but made good ground at the end to be beaten less than a length,” Llewellyn said.

“Kristen said Broadway Bouncer has a short, sharp sprint, so I’ll be mindful of that when I ride him again tomorrow.”

Hawkesbury trainer Marc Chevalier says Everyone’s A Star’s outside barrier is naturally a concern at Randwick tomorrow in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m), but still feels she can continue her current good form.

Everyone’s A Star, after connections considered retiring her last year, brilliantly won an 1100m Midway at Randwick on January 3 before finishing second to Kurrinda Bloodstock’s form mare Super Norwest in a 1200m Benchmark 78 Handicap there three weeks later.

“I have kept the mare on the fresh side as she is coming back in distance,” Chevalier said today.

“She is in terrific order, and Tyler Schiller knows her so well.

“I’m sure they will run along, and hopefully Tyler can get some cover on Everyone’s A Star and finish over the top of them.

“Steve O’Halloran’s (fellow Hawkesbury trainer) Mal Coupe is the one we have to beat.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, FEBRUARY 13, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS