Luke Nolen would love to add international success to a 2011 highlight reel that has been dominated by his association with wonder mare Black Caviar.
Nolen will ride in an international jockeys’ challenge in Japan this weekend before heading to Hong Kong for another series the following Wednesday night.
“I’m very much looking forward to both opportunities of riding in Japan and Hong Kong,” Nolen told AAP.
“I’m not expecting anything but I’m just hopeful that things go all right. Obviously I want to ride well, that’s first and foremost, and I would love to ride a winner against that calibre of riders.”
Last year Nolen represented the Rest Of The World team in the Shergar Cup at Ascot in England and rode a winner during the series.
“They are all very good riders and just like the Shergar Cup all I wanted to do was show up and try to make some impact on the series one way or another,” Nolen said.
“You don’t want to go to these things and not ride a winner, but in saying that you want to learn as much as you can while you are there too because you never stop learning.”
During 2011, Nolen rode champion Black Caviar to eight wins including six at Group One level as the mare took her unbeaten record to 16.
The stable rider for the powerful Peter Moody stable, Nolen also notched his second consecutive Melbourne jockeys’ premiership.
“She (Black Caviar) has been wonderful to both Pete (Moody) and myself,” Nolen said.
“If I’m able to have a bit of success through both of these series’ it would cap the year just nicely.”
Nolen added that a strong showing could lead to invitations for similar opportunities later in his career.
The World Super Jockeys Series, held at Japan’s Hanshin Racecourse, will feature eight international representatives and seven Japanese jockeys competing in four races.
The Hong Kong International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley next Wednesday night features 12 riders from nine different racing jurisdictions competing in four races.
AAP TURF
