‘Character building’: Jockey Luke Nolen gets last laugh on I Wish I Win in Kingsford Smith Cup

40-time Group 1 winner Luke Nolen was back as the star of the show on on I Wish I Win at Eagle Farm Saturday, exacting revenge on Bella Nipotina in the Kingsford Smith Cup.

I Wish I Win exacts revenge on Bella Nipotina to win the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup for Luke Nolen. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography.

Luke Nolen couldn’t bring himself to watch the Doomben 10,000 after getting sacked from riding I Wish I Win, so went and “got pissed” at a game of local footy instead.

On Saturday, the 40-time Group 1 winner was back as the star of the show on the horse after replacing James McDonald to win the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, exacting revenge on Bella Nipotina in the process.

As the pilot of the perfect Black Caviar, Nolen has been through more than most as a jockey, but concedes it was a bitter pill to swallow when connections opted to go with McDonald to ride the superstar sprinter following his injury which forced him out of the saddle.

On a soft, shifting track and an inside draw, Nolen produced a copybook ride to turn the tables on Bella Nipotina, who got the better of him a fortnight earlier, not that Nolen was watching the race at the time.

“It was a character building week for me, the week he raced I didn’t have much on so I went to the local footy and got pissed,” Nolen said.

When your wish comes true! 😉

I Wish I Win takes the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup with @luke_nolen in the saddle for Team @moodyracingpgm - @kscoleman!@BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/TERTwuUS1e

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 1, 2024

“When the phone lit up, it was about halfway through the third (quarter), I knew it was going to be for one of two reasons.

“I didn’t look at the phone because I wanted to enjoy the game, as it turns out we got beat.

“I have had more than my share of ups and downs in racing, you have to take the rough with the smooth. It was good to get away, freshen up and enjoy myself, but it was back to work the next day.

“You have to keep showing up in this game because a week is a long time in racing. I’ve done a lot on this horse. Obviously I was a bit disappointed being off but we made amends today.

“Some days you’re at the top and other days you’re at the bottom so you take each day as it comes. I was pretty down but these experiences are character building. I’ve got plenty of bloody character now, don’t worry.”

Trainer Katherine Coleman and Luke Nolen celebrate the win of I Wish I Win in the Kingsford Smith Cup. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography.

While nothing will match the great Black Caviar, who won the same race in 2011, Nolen said I Wish I Win had forged a special place in his heart.

“They are hard to come by, these horses, so every opportunity you get with them, you want to make the most of it,” he said.

“I don’t get tired of talking about (Black Caviar), she was exceptional, but he (I Wish I Win) isn’t far behind her now.

“He has been beaten, so there isn’t nearly as much pressure.”

As for Nolen’s post-race celebrations: “I am one of the people, I will probably go to the Brekky Creek and get pissed tonight.”

Nolen was a happy man. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography.

I Wish I Win is unlikely to go to the Stradbroke, with connections setting it for another tilt at The Everest.

After being backed off the map, Everest winner Think About It was disappointing, finishing fifth, three lengths off I Wish I Win.

Tony Gollan was thrilled with the run of Antino, saying it was the perfect Stradbroke Handicap trial, retaining his $6 favouritism in the process.

“We are delighted with the run, he is crying out for 1400m after that,” Gollan said.

“Bring on the Stradbroke.”

Originally published as ‘Character building’: Jockey Luke Nolen gets last laugh on I Wish I Win in Kingsford Smith Cup