It is 14 years since Luke Nolen won the Cox Plate on El Segundo and the jockey still marvels at how difficult it is to win one of Australia big four races.
Nolen rides Callsign Mav in Saturday’s Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday in a bid to record a second win in the race and says these days it is hard to even get a ride in the race.
“It was a long time ago and I had less grey hair,” Nolen said of his previous win.
“I was an old bloke at the time, and I didn’t realise how hard these big four are to win.
“I’ve had a lot of rides in Caulfield Cups and Melbourne Cups, they’re hard to win and this race is hard to get a ride in, let alone win.
“I’ve got my lottery ticket on Saturday and hopefully I can cash it in.”
Nolen had his first ride on Callsign Mav on Tuesday morning at The Valley and cannot wait to get to The Valley on Saturday to partner the gelding, a winner of two Group 1 races at his past two starts.
He said Callsign Mav had no difficulties getting around the tighter confines of The Valley in what was his second look at the track, adding he does not expect there to be any problems under race conditions.
“He’s probably hard to line up,” Nolen said.
“We have seen Kiwi’s come across in years gone by and been very competitive, so I would expect the same and we saw Zaaki and Verry Elleegant get beaten at their last runs, so maybe it’s evened up a bit.
“He’s come across in great shape. John Bary has done a great job and he’s had a couple of maintenance gallops and a look around here and he’s ready to go Saturday.
“The weather will be important. There will be 15 races before the Grand Final on Saturday, so that will play a vital role as well.”
Callsign Mav is rated the $51 outsider with TAB that sees Zaaki the $2.80 favourite ahead of Anamoe at $4 and Verry Elleegant on the next line at $7.