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By Graeme White

She is only the size of a pony, but trainer Rob Potter believes his pocket rocket Almost Persuaded has an undeniable chance of recording her biggest career victory in the Ted Ryder Cup at Wagga on Friday.

The stable favourite of the Canberra trainer is at her peak for her first crack at 1600 metres this campaign and with only 55 kilograms to carry, Potter envisages the consistent mare being in the finish.

Trainer Rob Potter (Pic: Bradley Photos)

“In her last three starts, some of the other horses have gone past her but she has fought back and been right there at the end,” he said.

“She is a very consistent little mare – only a tiny thing – with a big heart who is ready for the mile.

“She will be ridden where she is comfortable in the run, probably just off the speed and hopefully she is the one there at the finish.”

Senior jockey Jack Martin will ride Almost Persuaded ($7 NSW TAB) which is raced by her breeders Les and Kerry Hawking of Cootamundra.

Almost Persuaded (third), Dubai Centre (fourth) and the top weight Macchina Volante (eighth) all come out of the same race at Otange.

Potter said Almost Persuaded made the speed at Orange but that won’t be happening on Friday as he looks to give her every chance of winning at her first attempt at 1600 metres.

“Her runs have shown me she is looking for the distance. She is back in form and from a perfect gate she should be right there,” he enthused.

Almost Persuaded has won five and bene placed at 11 of her 25 starts making her one of the more consistent gallopers Potter has trained in recent times.

The trainer himself is having a successful period with five winners from his past ten starters.

Almost Persuaded beat home Dorami ($3.80) the last time they met and meets her one kilogram better.

Dorami won her latest start in a four-horse race at Canberra and will be ridden by the in-form Robyn Freeman from barrier one.

Stablemates Ruban Bleu (second) and Kiptanui (fifth) are coming off last start runs in the Fred Cooper Cup at Goulburn.

Dream Inherit was an impressive last start winner at Wagga coming from well off the leaders at the 200 metres.

The mare has won over 1400 and 1800 metres the past two times she has raced at Wagga.

Trainer Doug Gorrel would love to win the Ted Ryder Cup which is named after the larger than life character who was the course broadcaster at many race tracks and the former Sports Editor of The Daily Advertiser newspaper.

Gorrel was a former sports journalist at the paper and his father Graham the long-time former editor.

“It would mean a lot to win it and the way she is racing she is a big hope,” he suggested.

Macchina Volante has raced twice for current trainer Clint Lundholm and is a seven times winner.

Meanwhile, Dubbo trainer Brett Robb has strong opportunities of winning with Wilbury ($1.55fav) who is chasing four straight wins in the opening race.

Stable mates Din and Gallant Star have been scratched with Robb relying on the last start Highway winner maintaining his high level of recent success.

Robb will also run Morgenstern ($9 NSW TAB) in the Open Hcp (1200m) after some competitive displays in a few starts back from a spell.

Patrika Gold chases three straight wins and Solvere four in a row in the other feature race on the eight-event program.

The $50,000 Super Maiden is one of the highlight races where impressive trial winner Tropical Breeze and My Turn Astern have drawn to be in the finish.

My Turn Astern has won his two trials this preparation, while Tropical Breeze looked the part winning at Wagga.

Tropical Breeze provides her trainer Danny Beasley with a strong chance of posting his maiden victory as a trainer.

The top weight Baggage Handler ($3 fav) trialled strongly when winning at Wagga before finishing second on debut at Wagga.

Dolly closed off well on debut when second at Wagga and is another of the chances, while Finn’s The Icon did the same when resuming racing for a second at Gundagai.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Wagga meeting