Nolen won his third-consecutive $200,000 Group 3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) on Tuesday aboard Peter Moody's Brereton ($6.50 equal favourite), who fought back after being headed by Renosu ($7.50) to score by a nose, with Le Gagneur ($19) finishing third, a further 2.75 lengths away.
"He hadn't been here before and it's good to give them a look at the winning post because it is a bit daunting for juveniles," Nolen said.
"Every horse when they come here the first time, or with every two-year-old, I show them the winning post.
"It is hard to get there in front most of the time but if they get there and have a look and don't know how to go past it, then you've only got yourself to blame. It doesn't always work, but I feel as though it does with the occasion."
Brereton looked the winner in a deceptive photo finish in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on October 9 but was runner-up to Kiki Express, while Renosu ran third in the Debutant but in contrast to his first start, settled closer to the pace on Tuesday before striking the front and being outbobbed on the line.
Nolen's previous Maribyrnong Plate winners were Hard Landing (2019) and Finance Tycoon (2020) and he believes Brereton has a bright future.
"When I put one behind the saddle he showed good courage and tenacity," Nolen said. "For an inexperienced horse you're buoyed when they show those sorts of things.
"He's got it all in front of him I feel and he's done a good job today."
Moody indicated he will consult Brereton's ownership group before determining what path Brereton will take through the first half of the two-year-old season.
Purchased for $1 million from this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the Zoustar colt is out of Western Australian G3-winning mare Fuddle Dee Duddle and is closely related to Blue Diamond runner-up Hallowell Belle.
