Luke Nolen appears favoured to regain the ride aboard I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) when he next steps out in Brisbane.
With James Mcdonald heading to Japan to ride Romantic Warrior in the Yasuda Kinen on June 2, Nolen is in the box-seat to regain the ride on I Wish I Win in the Gr.1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) on June 1.
Nolen was dumped as rider of the sprinter for the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) in favour of McDonald with the pair finishing a close second to Bella Nipotina.
Trainer Peter Moody and part-owner Mark Chittick were in New Zealand on Saturday watching I Wish I Win from afar and when news came through that McDonald was unable to take the mount in the Kingsford Smith, the pair had a brief discussion.
Moody offered up three names with Nolen’s certainly in the mix.
“I’m sure we’ll lean that way,” Chittick told RSN.
“The opportunity came up with James and we’ve had a long-term relationship and that’s why we took the opportunity and there is absolutely nothing against Luke or anyone else.
“We became aware on Sunday, and I was with Moods, that James was going to be in Japan.
“James thought he was going to be able to ride him in the Kingsford Smith because there was a flight at nine o’clock, but when they put the provisions in place to go into lockdown beforehand, that took that opportunity away from us.
“Moods put three names in front of me to ride him in the Kingsford Smith and I said I’d be happy with any of the three, but you make the final decision.
“If it is Luke, it would be great to get Luke back on the horse and also get a favourable draw.”
Nolen has had an association with I Wish I Win, winning the Golden Eagle at Rosehill and the T J Smith at Randwick.
But inside draws have also cost Nolen and I Wish I Win, namely in The Everest last October.
I Wish I Win had barrier one again last Saturday when beaten.
“He’s a horse that an inside draw doesn’t suit,” Chittick said.
“When we’ve seen him win, and win so well in that top class, it’s been when he’s been able to do his own thing.
“He’s got a massive turn of foot, but he needs room to do it and we’re just finding with that inside draw when you get on the rail, it’s hard to do it when you finally do get fresh air.”
Chittick said the Kingsford Smith Cup and then a break in the Queensland sunshine was favoured for I Wish I Win ahead of a return in the spring for a tilt at the Manikato Stakes and The Everest.
