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By Ray Hickson

The knowledge gained from two rides on lightly raced three-year-old Ostraka has jockey Tom Sherry confident he can convert placings into a win at Rosehill on Saturday.

Jockey Tom Sherry (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Sherry said the key factor in both recent runs from the Annabel Neasham-trained galloper is that he hasn’t been able to obtain cover but he sees an opportunity in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1200m) to ride Ostraka to his strength.

“He’s been racing really well but I think the main thing with him is to get a bit of cover,’’ Sherry said.

“The other day at Scone he raced a bit fresh outside the lead but from the good gate we should be able to put him in the one-one or just behind the speed.

“Once he gets cover he switches off really well. He’s got an explosive turn of foot so we’ll be able to utilise that from the gate.”

Ostraka, $5.00 with TAB on Friday, looked all over a winner at Scone over 1300m two weeks ago when he moved alongside Elson Boy and hit the lead passing the 200m.

But, while they were outgunned late, Sherry, who has 24 city winners so far this season which is almost double his haul from the previous season, said it was evident the gelding will be a much better horse when he’s able to relax in his races and that’s something he’s not had the chance to do this time in.

“I thought I had Elson Boy beaten at the top of the straight, credit to that horse it’s flying and was just really tough,’’ he said.

“Hopefully we can change the role of using my horse’s turn of foot rather than trying to out grind them, just being outside the lead he travelled strong without cover.

“If you watch his win he’s got an explosive turn of foot. If we can get that cover and hold him up a little longer he’ll be very strong on the line.”

Sherry has also had two rides on the Neasham-trained Perfect Play and he’s adamant the import is close to a win.

Neasham has indicated she feels the gelding is looking for a furlong further than he’ll deal with in the TAB Handicap (1800m), and Sherry agrees but on the back of a closing third behind Unusual Legacy over 1700m at Scone two weeks ago he says he’s working the horse out.

“His first-up run was really good and then the other day if I could ride the race again I’d have kept rolling forward and put him in a more positive role,’’ he said.

“He’s looking for 2000m but it’s the perfect race for him because there’s enough speed and I think it will be a truly run 1800m.

Ostraka runs second at Scone on May 18

“He’s a lovely horse, I think third-up he should be spot on. Hopefully we can put him in a positive position and he should have his chance.”

Tom Sherry on Magic Pharoah (race 3): “She wasn’t 100 per cent fit at Scone and credit to Lou (Mary) he said she might need the run. She’s won a race like this before, it’s the right trip for her and she’ll be fitter. She has a nicer gate than she had at Scone so it’s all promising.”

On Queen Of The Mile (race 5): “She’s a pleasure to ride, she tries her heart out every time. It was a hot field at Scone so back in grade is more suitable for her. She’s got a nice gate and she’ll run well.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting