Luke Nolen is favourite to regain the lucrative ride on I Wish I Win for the star galloper’s next assignment, the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 1.
James McDonald replaced the injured Nolen for the G1 T.J. Smith Stakes and retained the ride for the Doomben 10,000, but is unable to ride next start due to being in quarantine ahead of partnering Romantic Warrior in Japan.
“It’s always only been a race-to-race booking. Not confirmed yet but I would suggest probably Luke Nolen gets back on him,” Moody told Ladbrokes.
“Let’s be honest, Luke’s probably like the horse, he’s not in the best of form either.
“Maybe we look for them both to reunite and get back into form in a Group 1 at Eagle Farm.”
Moody also said blinkers could be reapplied to the gelding, who was beaten by Bella Nipotina in the Doomben feature sprint last Saturday.
“I Wish I Win pulled up very well, I was disappointed he got beat, I thought he had the race in his keeping even though he probably raced in inferior ground,” Moody said.
“Looking forward to getting him to 1300m at Eagle Farm. I might look at putting blinkers back on him. I think he might’ve just got a little bit blase when he shot clear.
“He raced in them all his career as a young horse in New Zealand, just might give him that little bit more focus. We’ll go back to the drawing board and we’ve got to get him back winning.”
I Wish I Win is $4.20 Kingsford-Smith favourite and an equal $7 second favourite behind Antino for the Stradbroke Handicap on June 15.
– racing.com
