By his own admission Luke Nolen has had an ordinary Melbourne Cup week but he is excited about the unbeaten Black Caviar turning that around with back-to-back Patinack Farm Classic victories at Flemington.
Nolen said he was disappointed he was not part of the action in last year’s 1200m weight-for-age feature when he was under suspension and Ben Melham took the winning ride for what was Black Caviar’s first Group One win.
“I’ve had a really ordinary week and I’m really looking forward to getting back on her. It’s great to be part of it,” Nolen said.
“It’s the hardest time of the year on this stage – Flemington Cup week.
“We’ve had winners at Caulfield and Moonee Valley. It’s been a long week and it’s been frustrating but it’s galvanised us a little bit, we (him and trainer Peter Moody) are both in the same position.”
Nolen is winless after 20 rides over the first three days of the Cup carnival but was second twice on Derby Day aboard the Moody-trained pair Highly Recommended, beaten a short half-head by Galah in the Carbine Club Stakes, and Macedonian, easily held by Niwot in The Lexus.
“I’m riding well and have a very nice book tomorrow, but I thought I had a nice book yesterday (Oaks Day).”
Black Caviar is after her 16th straight win on Saturday and Nolen, who has won 12 races on her, has been on her at her last seven including five Group Ones.
She has come through the same lead-up races as last year this spring with effortless Group Two wins in the Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield and the Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
“I’ve given her two gallops since her last run and I think Melbourne racegoers this spring will see her at her best tomorrow,” Nolen said.
“She’s got this unbelievable ability, she can carve out great sectionals in the middle stages of a race and get most of the opposition out of their comfort zone while you are sitting pretty and still have a kick remarkably.
“So she’s very easy to ride.
“It comes down to her length of stride, her relaxed attitude and obviously her power.”
Moody has been winless with his 15 starters so far over the three carnival days and the trainer said Saturday “can’t come quickly enough after the week we’ve had”.
“She’s fabulous. I couldn’t be more pleased with her condition,” he said.
“She’s probably tightened up ever so marginally from the Valley and she looks superb.
“She’s continued to get better in the coat as the preparation has gone on and I can’t fault her in any shape or form.”
Moody expects either Black Caviar or Buffering would lead the field of seven of which four are mares prepared by him, the other three being Mid Summer Music, Curtana and Panipique.
“A Group One placing on their resume would mean a lot to their pedigrees as they are all multiple stakeswinners,” he said.
“I don’t expect to be competitive with Black Caviar. They are racing for second or third.”
AAP TURF
