New rider for Warrior in Futurity Stakes

Luke Nolen (r) will ride Redkirk Warrior in the Futurity for Lindsay Park headed by David Hayes (l).

Luke Nolen will be the new rider for Redkirk Warrior when the Lindsay Park warhorse runs in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Nolen replaces Regan Bayliss on the eight-year-old with the latter having left for Hong Kong after Saturday’s Flemington meeting.

Bayliss, who has ridden Redkirk Warrior in nine of his past 10 starts, begins a three-month contract in Hong Kong next Sunday.

Redkirk Warrior will be attempting to win a Racing Victoria wild card into the $5 million All Star Mile on March 16 by winning Saturday’s Group One race over 1400m at Caulfield.

The gelding is a three-time Group One winner for Lindsay Park, taking out the Lightning Stakes-Newmarket Handicap double last year while also winning the Newmarket Handicap in 2017.

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Redkirk Warrior has had two starts this campaign, finishing fifth at Moonee Valley before running seventh in the Group One C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

Senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes said an awkward barrier counted against Redkirk Warrior last start.

“We rode him back last time and I thought he ran on well,” Hayes said.

“Hopefully this time he’ll draw a barrier, but either way we’re going to be more positive on him.

“If he won the Group One it will show that he’s recaptured his form and hopefully it will get him a start in the All Star Mile.”