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By Tony Megahey

There's every possibility that a luckless second by Possibly So in a far tougher CDRA Championships at Mudgee last preparation and three race wins has the gelding massive early overs ($31 on TAB) for Saturday’s TAB Highway at Royal Randwick.

Bathurst’s Ryan family is a racing institution for a century plus in the Central Districts and trainer Andrew and his brothers have carried on the traditions of their late great patriarch Don Ryan, former jockey, trainer and race broadcaster.

Possibly So and Anthony Cavallo in winning form at Dubbo. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Ryan bloodstock is one of the Highway originals, invariably competitive and meticulous in their race planning. Possibly So is typical of them.

Significantly, the Star Witness five-year-old has won twice second-up, and has form on rain-affected tracks with headquarters certain to be downgraded after rain.

Possibly So’s form guarantees he’s looking for 1600m on the bigger track, primed by two trials at an unsuitable 1000m and also a race at 1400m.

Possibly So carries 58.5kg in a Class 3, 1600m for regular rider Anthony Cavallo as the Ryan’s are big on loyalty. It’s likely Cavallo’s only ride for the day.

“This gelding has nice ability but hard work, big and head strong, difficult to train,” Andrew explained. “Unlikely to be racing only for Anthony.

“He gets him onto the track and to the races. Stands over him gets the best out of him, we set him for this because we think he wants a mile this prep and eventually maybe 2000m.

"Hopefully he could be a Country Cups horse,” Andrew added. “I’m not concerned about the wide gate (16), there’s invariably a scratching or two.

"He’s a back marker, needs galloping room; we leave him in his comfort zone and he’ll be strong late, always is at 1300m or 1400m.

“We’re happy where he’s at this prep, he’s forward enough and importantly won twice second-up.

"He’ll appreciate going out in distance and the big track and Anthony is an integral part of our business.”

Possibly So was a massive second around the tight Mudgee in the Country Championships at 1400m.

From near last in a capacity field of 14, he was beaten less than a length by the winner Amicus Curiae who has won six races and been placed twice at Eagle Farm.

And they're far stronger form lines than Saturday’s Class 3 country race.

Cavallo travelling for one ride is significant as likely he would have had a near full book at Saturday’s Dubbo TAB meeting.

The early favourites are Rod Northam’s galloper Sharp Shock at $3.80 and Lyle Chandler’s recent dual winner Mazita at $4.60.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here