Leading Australian jockey Luke Nolen and Kiwi-bred sprinting star I Wish I Win will return to Randwick for the A$20 million The Everest next week, looking to go one better than last year’s desperately unlucky 2nd placing in the world’s richest race on turf.
Nolen has shared riding duties on the Waikato Stud-bred six-year-old through 2024 with James McDonald but has been on board for I Wish I Win’s two lead-up runs this spring for a 5th in the Moir Stakes and 3rd in the Manikato Stakes.
I Wish I Win’s co-trainer and part-owner Peter Moody said Nolen has provided the son of Savabeel with the perfect preparation leading into next week’s flagship slot race.
“Luke has ridden ‘Wish’ to absolute precision in his two starts in Melbourne,” Moody, who trains with Katherine Coleman, said. “After last year’s unlucky 2nd, Luke is as hungry as we are to get the job done in this year’s Everest.”
After drawing the unsuitable barrier draw of one last year, I Wish I Win was held up for room until very late, sprinting hard into 2nd behind the winner, Think About It.
I Wish I Win is running in the slot held by Trackside Media, the broadcasting arm of Entain Australia and New Zealand, who also operate the New Zealand TAB. For more information, contact:
Matt Smith
Senior Manager – Communications
Entain Australia and New Zealand
M: +64 27 228 5423
E: matt.smith@entaingroup.co.nz