(Andrew Bensley is a leading racing commentator on Sky Sports Radio)

Luke Nolen, one of Australia's best jockeys, will ride tomorrow night against some of the best in the annual Shergar Cup jockey series at Ascot.

This will be the first time Nolen has ridden in England and while he admits to some trepidation, he can't wait to ride against the likes of three-times French champion Christophe Soumillon, five times Irish champion, Pat Smullen, Anton Marcus from South Africa and Yasunari Iwata from Japan.

Nolen says the achievement of riding in the series will cap a remarkable season and, make no mistake, he's not there to make up numbers. The jockey series incorporates six races, with each jockey getting five rides.

The previous Australian jockey to ride in the Shergar series was Hugh Bowman. In fact, he won the title in 2007. Sky Racing World will have coverage from Ascot on Saturday night.

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Back home and the Randwick meeting tomorrow is the first sign that the spring carnival is about to take off. The San Domenico Stakes has attracted many potential top-liners, headed off by Solar Charged and Bright Expectations. Dare I forget the Clarry Conners pair of Georgette Silk and Decision Time.

Trainer John O'Shea has been pleased with the preparation of Solar Charged going into the 1000-metre race. O'Shea said like everybody in Sydney, it's been extremely hard with the waterlogged tracks but Solar Charged has been encouraging in trials.

Warwick Farm trainer, Gary Portelli, has Butt I'm Ready resuming in the San Domenico. On Sky Sports Radio, Portelli told me Butt I'm Ready will relish the expected rain affected track and is fresh enough for the 1000 metres. Butt I'm Ready has a second and a third to Decision Time and Portelli rates him the horse to beat.

Another that will appreciate a softish Randwick track is Queenslander, Spirit of Boom. Trainer Tony Gollan has had the horse at Rosehill for three weeks and Jim Cassidy, who will ride Spirit of Boom tomorrow, said the horse felt in good shape on Tuesday. Gollan says while the three-year-old has won on heavy ground, Spirit of Boom would be better suited on a dead or slow track.

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Flemington has the Aurie's Star Stakes tomorrow and with the race a bit earlier than normal, there's not too many stayers starting their spring campaigns.

Trainer Peter Moody already has started the new season with success and he's hoping Headway can claim further Group success. Moody admitted to me, he was a bit frustrated by the way Headway raced last preparation but he's confident of a good performance down the Flemington straight.

By the way, Moody also said Typhoon Tracy (pictured, above, with Luke Nolen on board) was heading towards the Memsie Stakes first up late this month. The favourite to win the Australian Racehorse of the Year, Typhoon Tracy performed well in her first jump out last Tuesday and appears as keen as ever.

Another lining up in the Aurie's Star is Spacecraft, now being trained by Mick Price. The promising galloper hasn't missed a beat, according to Price, and is a good horse in the making.

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Good luck to all of finalists this Sunday night in the Victorian Racehorse of the Year Awards at Crown Casino.