Nick Ryan chasing sweet result in the 2025 Victoria Derby

Victoria Derby Day brings back tough memories for Nick Ryan, but this year the former star apprentice has a genuine chance to rewrite his history. As a jockey, Ryan wasted heavily to make a feather-light weight aboard Alinghi in the race now known as the Empire Rose Stakes, only to be beaten narrowly as hot favourite — a loss that lingered as his closest shot at Group 1 glory.

Although he rode in Derbies around the country, he never had the opportunity to contest Flemington’s staying feature on the first day of Melbourne Cup week. Now as a trainer, that changes.

Ryan saddles two runners — Highvol and Miewa — in Saturday’s 2500m Victoria Derby, his second straight year attacking the race after Red Aces finished sixth in 2024.

“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.”

Miewa has followed the classic path — a win at 1600m at Moonee Valley before finishing runner-up in the Super Impose Stakes and again in the Caulfield Classic.

“He’s had the perfect prep,” Ryan said.

“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.”

Highvol, by contrast, began his campaign as a colt being aimed at the Caulfield Guineas. After winning the Listed Anzac Day Stakes on debut and a subsequent run, Ryan initially believed he had a sprinter-miler — until the horse displayed stamina traits as a three-year-old.

“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.”

Miewa’s breeding — by Maurice, sire of Derby winner Hitotsu — suggests stamina, while Highvol’s pedigree leans shorter, but Ryan says both give themselves every chance.

“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.”

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