Luke Nolen said to be 'completely shattered' after being overlooked for I WIsh I Win ride
Luke Nolen piloting I Wish I Win to victory in the 2023 TJ
Luke Nolen's wife Alicia has said her husband is "completely shattered" after being overlooked for the ride on I Wish I Win in Saturday week's Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
Nolen, who has a longstanding relationship with trainer Peter Moody, has ridden I Wish I Win in eight of the star sprinter's 10 Australian starts.
The veteran hoop missed the ride on IWIW in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) due to injury, with Australia's leading jockey James McDonald steering the ex-Kiwi into third behind his stablemate Chain Of Lightning.
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Despite Nolen now being fit and available to renew his association with IWIW, connections of the five-year-old have elected to stick with McDonald.
"Taken it to heart is an understatement!," Alicia Nolen posted on Facebook in response to the decision.
"Completely shattered, disappointed and totally blind sighted (sic) after doing all his work."
"I really felt for Luke Nolen. It was one of the hardest jobs I've done for a long, long time, in telling him he wasn't retaining the ride," Moody said.
"He (Chittick) has got his wish and I respect (it)," Moody went on to say.
I Wish I Win is a $2.60 favourite with TAB for the Doomben 10,000, ahead of In Secret and Private Eye at $6.
Nolen has three rides at Caulfield this Saturday, headlined by impressive debut winner Stanley Express for Clinton McDonald in the opening event.
Moody indicated that Nolen's papers certainly haven't been stamped when it comes to IWIW and he'll be considered for future rides on the $11m earner beyond the Doomben 10,000.
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