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By Tony Megahey

Irish apprentice Tom Sherry is the jockey to follow at value with a near full book at Nowra’s TAB meeting on Sunday and all is forgiven, along with healthy recommendations from accomplished veteran Keith Dryden.

A contrite Sherry, rang Dryden to apologise after his ride on Dryden’s strongly fancied Waiheke ($4.80) at Kembla on Thursday when he was trapped three-wide in a seven-horse field and finished last.

Talented jockey Tom Sherry. Image by Bradley Photographers

“I couldn’t make Kembla, Tom rang me that night, those things happen. I’ve seen him ride a treat-he’s a real value three kilo claimer,” offered the multiple ACT premiership trainer.

“It was a real tough day at Kembla, the meeting was eventually called off - Tom hadn’t ridden there. Small fields and tactics against experienced riders who know their tracks is always a test for apprentices.

“He’ll know next time, you can’t go early and around them at Kembla with that long straight.

“But Tom can ride or he wouldn’t be with Mark Newnham.”

Sherry is guesting in Australia after having a lengthy suspension back home for a prohibitive substance condensed to 10 months on appeal and the assurance of employment and counselling over here.

Tom broke through riding a winner for Newnham at Goulburn two weeks ago and placed for the stable at Newcastle.  Tom has had only nine rides since relocating, so Nowra offers significant opportunities.

Tom rides fancied last start winners, the John Steinmetz-trained Writing Unexpected (race 4) and Terry Robinson’s Thorn Brook (race 5).

And the fact Tom has also picked up a ride for the profile Bjorn Baker stable in extensively trialled Your Hand in Mine, indicates respected trainers have a decent drift on his ability.

Nowra at present is a god 4 racing surface in fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Nowra here