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.”
Backing a runner in the Victoria Derby? Shop around using Australia’s leading betting sites to secure the best odds and offers.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...