The last time Luke Nolen rode at Doomben he arrived in a dapper, pin-striped suit and left in an ambulance with facial wounds and a smashed nose.But time heals all wounds and jockeys are a tough breed, as Nolen will prove on Saturday when he returns to the scene of the ugly incident which could have cost the Cox Plate-winning jockey his life.Nolen will be back in town to partner Carlton Forward in the $150,000 Tommy Smith Slipper (1200m) for his close mate and fellow former Queenslander Peter Mo

The last time Luke Nolen rode at Doomben he arrived in a dapper, pin-striped suit and left in an ambulance with facial wounds and a smashed nose.

But time heals all wounds and jockeys are a tough breed, as Nolen will prove on Saturday when he returns to the scene of the ugly incident which could have cost the Cox Plate-winning jockey his life.

Nolen will be back in town to partner Carlton Forward in the $150,000 Tommy Smith Slipper (1200m) for his close mate and fellow former Queenslander Peter Moody.

It's Nolen's first ride at Doomben since he was dislodged in the straight from the Bart Cummings-trained Antidotes in the BTC Sprint on May 9.

The dual Group One-winning jockey spent the next two months recovering from breaks to the palate, eye socket, cheekbone, nose and jaw. He also suffered knee ligament damage.

"I don't remember a thing of the fall and I certainly don't remember leaving the racecourse," Nolen said.

"Hopefully things are more cheerful this time around."

Nolen partnered Carlton Forward to an impressive, 3-1/2 length win down the Flemington straight at the horse's second career start and the talented hoop admitted the Charge Forward colt surprised him.

"He keeps taking the next step. I don't mind him, he's probably not up to the top two-year-olds but he's going the right away that's for sure," Nolen said.

Nolen and Moody combined to win the QTC Sires Produce Stakes with Masked Assassin last year and he rates Carlton Forward at least the equal of that horse on natural ability.

"I thought Carlton Forward was an ideal horse for the QTC Sires and T J Smith next winter but whether he's brilliant enough to win a Magic Millions remains to be seen," Nolen said.

"It's exciting because he's done a few little things wrong in his races and when he gets it right he'll be on fire."

Moody sent Carlton Forward to Brisbane after his Flemington win and selected the Tommy Smith as the horse's final lead-up to the Magic Millions Classic on January 10.

Nolen said barrier 15 was a major obstacle and he would be forced to ride the horse further back than he originally wanted to.

"I would have had him up a bit closer had he drawn inside but I don't want to give him a gut-buster with his grand final in two weeks," he said.

"I'll probably have to come back and give him a smother early and let him finish off."