Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote trusts comeback jockey Luke Nolen to get Group 1 Moir Stakes job done on Rothfire

Heathcote had Ben Melham booked to ride but an untimely suspension ruled him out, sparking a flurry of Rothfire bidding from jockey managers, including Nolen’s agent.

A 40-time Group 1-winner including 14 on the legend Black Caviar, Nolen only returned to race riding last week after an eight-month injury break.

Nolen sustained broken ribs, facial injuries and a ruptured ACL in a fall last December at Geelong.

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The 45-year-old has defied setbacks in recent years, including back and pelvic injuries, to ride and win at the highest level. He rode I Wish I Win to Group 1 victory last year.

“I called Luke up personally and he said ‘mate, I’m ready to go’,” Heathcote said.

“That’s good enough for me … Luke has been riding for me for years, not only here but when he comes up home during the winter carnival and he’s ridden winners for me.

“A few owners raised their eyebrows, ‘oh he hasn’t been riding a lot’, but he’s a professional, if his body, and he tells me it is, is in good nick, he’ll give us a good steer.

“He hasn’t done a lot of riding but … 40 Group 1s on your CV is pretty handy.”

Heathcote has Rothfire ready to light up The Valley, with a capacity field set to contest the Moir.

He could join Angus Armanasco and Bruce McLachlan as equal-most successful Moir-winning trainers with a fourth victory on Saturday.

Heathcote saddled Buffering to win the Moir in 2012, 2014-15.

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Nolen preceded the Buffering era with back-to-back Moir victories on Black Caviar (2010-11).

Rothfire is $11 for Saturday from Niance ($4), Baraqiel ($4.50), Alabama Lass ($6) and Skybird ($10).

Esha, a brilliant and dynamite debut Valley winner last start, is $11 but is first emergency and at risk of not gaining a start in the maximum 15-horse field.

Rothfire completed a powerful but controlled Valley track gallop on Tuesday morning.

“My fear was he’d do too much work,” Heathcote said.

“Rothy can really grab the steel and run along … Ben (Melham) got it spot on.

“He said to me ‘I could feel him wanting to go but I didn’t want to light him up’, he trialled super the other day.”

Heathcote has Group 1 Manikato Stakes ambitions for Rothfire on AFL Grand Final Eve at The Valley.

“If he comes through it (Moir) well and obviously races well the Manikato is in three weeks’ time,” Heathcote said.

“He does race well around this track and as we know it’s a bit of a horses for courses track … come back in three weeks, Grand Final Eve and watch Brisbane win another flag!”

Originally published as Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote trusts comeback jockey Luke Nolen to get Group 1 Moir Stakes job done on Rothfire