Top Melbourne jockey Luke Nolen will get more tests today on his injured knee after getting tossed off in the mounting yard at Caulfield on Saturday.
Luke Nolen will have further tests on his injured knee. Race Horse Photos Australia.
Nolen was thrown by first starter Bullpit prior to the first race and was taken to hospital for scans on his knee and was out for the remainder of the day.
The Rob Wellington trained two year old was withdrawn and ordered to barrier trial by the stewards before being allowed to start again while Nolen missed out on a winner when Floria with replacement rider Craig Newitt aboard took out the Group 3 $135,000 Le Pine Funerals Summoned Stakes (1600m).
Nolen will head back to the doctors today for further tests after scans on Saturday night revealed no major damage.
“He’s done some damage to his knee, can’t put any weight on it,” Nolen’s wife Alicia tweeted.
“Luke’s scans don’t show any major damage, back Monday for a check up. Still on crutches, more disappointed on missing win. Back riding soon.
“He’s ok will know when he can ride again Monday.”
The combination of Nolen and trainer Peter Moody has had a fairly quiet Melbourne Spring Carnival with no Group 1 wins to smile about.
And if Nolen is ruled out for any length of time with his knee injury, he will miss a trip to Perth where Moody has runners in the two Group1 races at Ascot this weekend.
Nolen was aboard last start winner Plucky Belle when she beat Arinosa in the Group 3 $200,000 Lavazza Short Black (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and the Mossman mare will be lining up in the Group 1 $1m Carlton Draught – Railway Stakes (1600m).
He could also miss out on the ride on Moment Of Change in the Group 1 $500,000 Crown Perth – Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
Moment Of Change will be aiming up against Buffering again after finishing fourth to the Queensland sprinter in the Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
He was then third to Buffering again in the Group 1 $1m VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 9 and Moody is banking on a change of luck to turn the tables in the Winterbottom Stakes.
“Moment Of Change is going to need luck to beat Buffering but he has always been in the mix in those sorts of races,” Moody said.
“You’ve got to be in it to win it, you’re not going to have luck at home.”
