Picture: Bruno Cannatelli
Pink Aces will chase Nick Ryan’s first Group 1 success after a protracted profession in racing
Proper from the day Nick Ryan and his stepfather Jeff Gordon outlaid $380,000 for Pink Aces at a yearling sale, the Group 1 Victoria Derby has been the dream.
That dream may develop into actuality when Pink Aces traces up within the blue riband occasion for three-year-olds over 2500m at Flemington on Saturday.
Pink Aces is one among three gallopers in Saturday’s race by Dundeel, himself a Derby winner, in Sydney, with the colt’s household on the dam aspect affected by staying blood, together with twin winners of the Derby equal for fillies, the VRC Oaks by way of Arapaho Miss and Miami Certain.
Albeit Pink Aces is lining up for less than his sixth begin on Saturday, Ryan is thrilled with the way in which the preparation has unfolded, though there seemed to be a ‘hiccup’ at Caulfield when the colt was scratched on the limitations on October 19.
Ryan now concedes that will have been a blessing in disguise, as Pink Aces rebounded rapidly to win The Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley final week and bought a extra strong race beneath the belt.
“I feel it was a blessing in disguise lacking out on Caulfield,” Ryan stated.
“He’s a very good doing colt and I feel the seven-day again will maintain him in good stead, particularly out to the Derby journey.
“I feel we’ll get a genuinely run Derby. Many of the lead-ups have been slowly run, so I feel that can swimsuit my horse, so if we will get some velocity on, he’ll be actually sturdy.”
Ryan had a profitable profession as a jockey, which was stopped by weight points, and didn’t land a Group 1 victory, coming shut when an apprentice aboard Alinghi in what’s now often known as the Empire Rose Stakes, which can be run on Saturday.
He’s additionally winless on the highest degree as a coach since saddling his first runner in 2014.
“We’ve been chasing it some time,” Ryan stated.
“It will be so particular to do it on Derby Day, particularly on my dwelling monitor.
“That’s one thing that has eluded me all through my complete racing life, from being a jockey and a coach, though I’ve come awfully shut.
“We’re knocking on the door.”
It has been a quiet week for Pink Aces since his win at Moonee Valley final week.
A visit to the seashore on Sunday, some mild work on Tuesday, however extra importantly Pink Aces has left nothing within the feed bin all week.
“We’re right here, we’ve made it to Saturday, and it seems to be like he’s going to relish the step up in distance,” Ryan stated.
“He’s solely had 5 begins and one of the best remains to be to come back.
“He’s a top quality colt and could possibly be price some huge cash.”
*Current prospects solely. 2nd Racing guess. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
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