Luke Nolen set to reunite with I Wish I Win in Kingsford Smith Cup backflip

In what is a bumper day for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Luke Nolen is set to reunite with their Group 1 winner I Wish I Win in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.

Luke Nolen and I Wish I Win are set to reunite.

Luke Nolen is set to reunite with Group 1 winner I Wish I Win in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m), with James McDonald in Japan to ride Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior.

Connections had opted for McDonald as the new rider for the Kiwi superstar, however, have again called upon Nolen in his absence.

The change of jockeys made headlines ahead of the Doomben 10,000, with Nolen’s wife Alicia taking to social media to say they were “completely shattered” by the move.

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It marks a bumper day for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, where they will saddle up the favourites in both the Kingsford Smith Cup and Queensland Derby.

Bella Nipotina takes the Doomben 10,000 (G1) in a photo finish!

pic.twitter.com/nb6AzyGvOz

— IFHA's Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (@worldsbesthorse) May 18, 2024

With I Wish I Win forced to come up the inside in the Doomben 10,000, Coleman said they were confident of turning the tables on Bella Nipotina come Saturday.

“We were pleased with him, we think he had excuses being on the wrong part of the track that day,” she said.

“All that being said, he still got beat by a pretty smart horse, so we are out to turn the tables on her this weekend.

James McDonald was beaten on I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000 last start. Picture. Grant Peters — Trackside Photography.

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“He has the blinkers going back on which we think will help him as well.”

Autumn Angel will look to be the first filly to win the Queensland Derby since the legendary Bart Cummings pulled off the feat with Dariana in 2010.

Coleman said the added 200m of the Derby compared to the Oaks, along with its timing played a role in choosing the race.

“I thought her (Rough Habit) run was a perfect Derby trial really, she drew awkwardly and we knew she was going to have to do a lot of work,” Coleman said.

“She had a really good blow and we think she has come on from it, taken that bit of fitness that we needed to see, we are very keen to see her in the Derby.

“The fact it is before the Oaks gives us the chance to give her a bit of extra time in the paddock to get ready for the spring.”

Congrats @NewgateFarm, @Chinahorseclub, @TrilogyRacing1 & partners on the G3 Rough Habit Plate victory of our @mmsnippets sold Tannhauser, with the @cwallerracing-trained son of @ArrowfieldStud's Dundeel defeating last start G1 winner Autumn Angel @[e-mail]/kuGBsG3y25

— Milburn Creek Stud (@Milburn_Creek) May 18, 2024

Originally published as Luke Nolen set to reunite with I Wish I Win in Kingsford Smith Cup backflip