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By Ray Hickson

The next two months will be critical in Tom Sherry deciding whether to defend his champion apprentice title or bring an end to six years of being a junior rider.

Premier apprentice Tom Sherry (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Sherry’s apprenticeship expires on March 4 and with plenty of competition coming through the ranks this season he says he’ll need to be in front in the premiership race when the deadline nears to continue applying for an extension.

The 23-year-old took over the mantle from Robbie Dolan, who won back-to-back premierships, last season and rides at Warwick Farm on Wednesday trailing Tyler Schiller by three having made up ground since returning from a two month Covid-related suspension.

“It’d be a big deal to win two, I’m not sugar coating it at all,’’ Sherry said.

“It is important but I was apprenticed in Ireland for three years and I’ve been apprenticed here for three years so I’ve worked pretty hard."

His boss Mark Newnham could hold the key to Sherry making a move at Warwick Farm with three-year-old Stick To Your Guns resuming in the Harry Angel First Yearlings Plate (1200m) and promising mare Twitch tackling the XXXX Handicap (1200m) among his key rides.

Stick To Your Guns, $2.50 favourite with TAB on Tuesday, hasn’t raced since a close second at Canterbury back in June and Sherry said he’d be more confident had the gelding not drawn the outside in the 11 horse field.

“He’s a nice horse who has been trialling well. He came on a heap since that last trial at Canterbury and he’s ready to go,’’ he said.

“It’s going to be tricky from the gate but if we get a soft run he will be charging to the line. He’s a nice progressive horse and whatever he does he will improve off again.”

Sherry said it’s important that Stick To Your Guns finds a back in the run despite the Warwick Farm 1200m being the kindest start point over that trip in Sydney.

“I know it’s only one bend but it’s still important to get cover on horses their first run in the prep and he’s still a bit on the big side so we’ll need the softest run we can get,’’ he said.

Twitch is ready to win, according to Sherry, after luck has gone against her in two runs back from a spell.

The four-year-old bumped into Forzanini first-up at Gosford and hit the line strongly into third at Warwick Farm two weeks behind subsequent Listed placed filly Authentic Jewel.

“We were caught three wide and just got beaten by Forzanini and last time we didn’t get out until late and she extended and hit the line well,’’ he said.

“She’s a filly knocking on the door and ready to win. From the gate we should get a nice run so she’s one of my better rides of the day.”

Stick To Your Guns wins a trial at Canterbury on December 21

Among his other rides, Sherry said Hayami still has a bit to learn and it could be significant to keep an eye on her pre-race appearance for the Keeneland Plate (1200m).

The Brad Widdup trained filly was run down by Starboreta at Hawkesbury on December 16 when resuming.

“She raced well but she got very hot pre-race. I rode her in a couple of trials leading up to that and she was progressing well,’’ he said.

“She has a bit of a way to go mentally and I think she will be better next preparation but at Warwick Farm on speed sometimes you can steal them.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting