Inside alley, again, for I Wish I Win in Kingsford Smith Cup
Luke Nolen this weekend runs the risk of being presented with the same issues that confronted James Mcdonald in the Doomben 10,000 after Tuesday morning’s Kingsford Smith Cup barrier draw.
The Victorian jockey goes back aboard I Wish I Win, who will start from the inside alley in the $1 million Group 1 event at Eagle Farm.
That is the gate I Wish I Win started from when a narrow second, after being run down by Bella Nipotina, in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
The opportunity for Nolen to reclaim the ride aboard I Wish I Win presented when James McDonald, who has ridden him at his past two starts, was unavailable due to commitments in Japan.
It is the fourth time from his past five starts that I Wish I Win has drawn the inside alley with Nolen having partnered him into third position in the Memsie Stakes and second in The Everest at his only starts last spring.
Katherine Coleman, who trains I Wish I Win in partnership with Peter Moody, would have preferred to have seen him drawn a little further off the fence but is happy with the way he has come through the 1200m Doomben 10,000.
“He worked on Saturday morning and all reports were very positive, the jockey was very happy with him, it was nice work and his action felt good, which is pleasing going towards this week,” Coleman said.
I Wish I Win will start alongside Bella Nipotina, who has drawn gate two, while other key contenders in the 12-horse event include defending champion Think About It (eight), dual Group 1 winners Magic Time (nine) and In Secret (four) and local star Antino (12).
It will be the first time I Wish I Win has run off a two-week break since the Toorak Handicap in the spring of 2022, when he was unplaced as a $2.20 favourite, but Coleman is happy with his condition and said he would spell after the Kingsford Smith Cup.
“It’s a little bit a difference, but he’s been so lightly raced that I don’t think it will be a problem,” Coleman said of the five-year-old.
“He still seems well and happy within himself and this option gave him that little bit of a longer break between having to come back and get ready for the spring.”
More Racing News
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...
Chains Of Love's stunning Kosciuszko win defies the odds
In a truly remarkable turn of events, Chains Of Love, despite her challenging draw and a run wide for the entirety of the race, managed to surge past Band Of Brothers in a thrilling conclusion.This victory marks a consecutive win in The Kosciuszko for the training partnership of Paul Messara...