Nathan Berry is confident of giving his career a timely boost on Saturday by landing his first stakes victory as a senior rider.Berry, who finished his apprenticeship in April, believes Skyerush has conditions to suit in the $100,000 Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill."I'm very confident," Berry said."Barrier two is a big advantage to her because when you have to use her up from a wide barrier she can get pulling."From that barrier I'll just let her stride for the first furlong (200m) and the

Nathan Berry is confident of giving his career a timely boost on Saturday by landing his first stakes victory as a senior rider.

Berry, who finished his apprenticeship in April, believes Skyerush has conditions to suit in the $100,000 Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.

"I'm very confident," Berry said.

"Barrier two is a big advantage to her because when you have to use her up from a wide barrier she can get pulling.

"From that barrier I'll just let her stride for the first furlong (200m) and then have her where she's comfortable. A wet track is also a big plus, three starts ago she ran second in a Group Two (Emancipation Stakes) on a heavy track.

"If everything goes right she can definitely be winning this race."

The 20-year-old outrode his claim during a successful apprenticeship but admitted he has had to put in the hard yards as he strives to make the transition to senior rider in the competitive Sydney scene.

"I've gone through that tough stage, and there's a lot more tough stages to go, but I'm riding plenty of work at Warwick Farm, Randwick and Rosehill," he said.

"Everyone says you work hardest as an apprentice but I reckon I'm working harder now, I'm happy how things are going but just to get that black-type winner on Saturday would be a big plus."

Skyerush was a winter revelation last year as trainer Guy Walter took her through the grades.

The daughter of Super Jet won four races in a row in town on rain-affected tracks including a 2400m benchmark 84 on a heavy track to end her campaign in July.

The five-year-old has had a long campaign through autumn and Berry took plenty of confidence out of the mare's last-start third in the Listed McKell Cup (2400m) on a dry track two weeks ago.

Rosehill was rated in the heavy range on Thursday.

"If ever she is going to win a nice race and get a black-type win then I think Saturday is going to be her day," he said.

Skyerush is at $7 in a congestedTAB Sportsbet market which has Tullamore, to be ridden by Berry's twin brother Tommy, favourite at $4.60.

Walter also can't fault Skyerush who is chasing her first open company victory.

"She has gone on well since her last run, she has proven stamina, a good gate and a light weight (53kg)," Walter said.

"She's yet to win in open company but her last run was good and I'm very happy with her."