In a former life as a jockey, Nick Ryan does not have fond memories of Victoria Derby Day.
A champion apprentice, Ryan wasted hard to ride Alinghi in what is now the Empire Rose Stakes at 47.5kg, only to run a narrow second as the $1.70 favourite, the closest he came to Group 1 success as a jockey.
While he rode in several interstate Derbies during his brief career as a jockey, he did not get to ride in the feature race on the opening day of Melbourne Cup week at Flemington.
Now a trainer, Ryan heads to headquarters on Saturday with two live chances in the Victoria Derby over the 2500m course.
Ryan will saddle Highvol and Miewa, his second a third runners in the staying test for three-year-olds after Red Aces finished sixth in the race last year.
“It’s my third runner and for a small stable, it’s a good effort by the team,” Ryan said.
“We went out a few years ago to look for young horses to get out to a trip.
“We had Red Aces last year win the Vase (at Moonee Valley) then ran sixth in the Derby and this year we have two runners that are in form and look like live chances.”
Of his two runners, Miewa has had the more traditional Derby preparation.
A winner over 1600m at Moonee Valley on September 6, Miewa went on to finish second in both the Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and the Caulfield Classic (2000m).
“He’s had the perfect prep,” Ryan said.
“He’s gone the Super Impose, the Caulfield Classic and into the Derby.
“He is a get back and run on horse. He’s drawn barrier eight and if he can use that and be as close as he can without being out of his comfort zone, that would be good.
“In a Derby, you have to get the first half right and be mindful of running the trip.”
In contrast, when Highvol won on debut in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, Ryan thought he had a Caulfield Guineas horse on his hand.
Highvol won again shortly after before going out for a break, but after his first run back as a three-year-old, Ryan altered his thoughts and was instead considering the Derby.
“He ran so well in the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley with the blinkers on and he beat home Vinrock that night, we elected to go to the Guineas,” Ryan said.
“He and (Derby favourite) Observer are the only two horses out of the Guineas running here.
He drew wide in the Guineas, and he was back and it was an insignificant run, but then he did a good job in the Geelong Classic going from the mile to the 2200 metres
“I’m surprised how well he came through it, and he’s come on from it and can improve again.”
Ryan concedes Highvol’s pedigree, being by Microphone from a Hussonet mare, may count against him over the extended trip whereas Miewa has the pedigree to run the Derby distance, being a son of Maurice who sired 2021 winner Hitotsu.
“They’re both very well,” Ryan said.
“They’re both good in the feed bin, their bloods are good, really a mirror image of each other.
“All I can say is Meiwa is the class horse with the pedigree, but Highvol wouldn’t shock me either.”
