Nick Ryan had no qualms about running two-year-old Highvol in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) on debut and his confidence was justified as the son of Microphone scored a tough win, the first horse to do so on debut.
Ridden on speed by Jamie Melham, Highvol ($9) held off $4.60 second elect Stay Cosmic to win by a head, with $5.50 chance Just Kick running on strongly for third a further long neck away.
Stable representative Damien Kefford said the horse’s extensive jump out experience had been key to kicking off in this race.
“From day dot , we’ve always had a big opinion on him,” Kefford said.
“He’s very revy. He’s always been a bit like a very typical Microphone. So we gelded him, gave him a lot of jump outs.Nick decided to roll the dice here, Nick always thought he’d be a 1400m horse plus.”
“So it is a big task to come to Flemington for your first start over 1400 but the wraps that we had on him were warranted today.”
While many would be happy to get the black type win and look ahead to the Spring, Kefford suggested there’s a strong chance Highvol would be seen in Queensland, with the Group 1 J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) the ultimate goal.
“There is some options up in Queensland even, for the end of their winter carnival. So obviously we’ll see how he comes through this run and then maybe plot a path to some two-year-old races up there.”
Melham said she’d been expecting a tricky ride from the pre-race information she’d received but was pleasantly surprised.
“Rhys McLeod called me this morning, gave me some insight about him and said he’s just not quite there yet, he’s very immature and that’s probably why he’s had so many jump outs, but he didn’t seem immature out there today, he was very professional and won really well,” Melham said.
“He was push button out there, he jumped, put himself on the speed, he obviously peaked late first up over 1400 so he’ll improve off that, he was an absolute gentleman to ride. I’ll ride him any day Rhys can’t make the weight.”
The Anzac Day Stakes has been won by future Group 1 winners Merchant Navy and Long John in recent years.
