National Trotguide
Lleyton Green and his boss, trainer Kerry McDowell have been enjoying a marevellous run of success.

Full book of drives guarantees a big night for Lleyton

Paul Courts

AT just 18-years-of-age, Sydney reinsman Lleyton Green is more than matching it with the talented pool of young drivers in New South Wales.

Green is currently sitting fifth on the state’s concession driver’s premiership, having driven 46 winners for the 2022 season.

And the next 24 hours could prove to be fruitful for Green as he has some plumb drives at both Newcastle and Tabcorp Park Menangle.

At Newcastle tonight, Green has a full book of drives on the eight-race program and most of them are well in the market.

He will partner the likely favourites, Prince Louie, and Zen Master in the last two races, both of which are trained by the Dean and Kerry McDowell, where Green is employed.

He will then turn his attention to tomorrow night’s qualifiers of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge hoping that Prince Of Peace and smart three-year-old Black Onyx can make their way through to next week’s rich finals.

“It is certainly a big weekend for me,” said Green.

“I really fancy the chances of my last two drives at Newcastle tonight.

“Both horses are dropping significantly in grade, so we are expecting them to perform well.

“Black Onyx is in a solid race, but I believe that he will be thereabouts.

“He has not been far away in similar races he has contested this season, so with a little bit of luck he should be running-on late.

“It would be a great thrill to qualify for the final.

“We know the opposition is tough but felt our bloke deserved his chance.”

Green will also drive in two heats of the time-honored JC Caffyn Plate for indigenous drivers tonight.

Qualifying heats of the series have been run throughout the state and tonight’s heats will be the last chance for those competing to earn a spot to drive in the prestigious final at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday week.

This is Green’s first and only chance to make it through to this year’s final but says that it would be a massive honor to represent his family.

“It would be mean a lot to my family if I can represent them on the big stage,” he said.

“I first drove in the series last year when I finished second in the final while my brother Hayden has also represented us a number of times.”

  • MICK DUMESNY