Newport got under punters' guards once again and in the process put his Sydney Cup campaign back on track with a commanding victory in the Group Three Randwick City Stakes on Saturday.Ridden by Nash Rawiller, the Paul Perry-trained gelding made a remarkable turnaround from last Saturday's Chipping Norton Stakes when he began awkwardly and dislodged jockey Jay Ford shortly after the start.Subsequently, Newport had to barrier trial to the satisfaction of stewards during the week.Perry said the six

Newport got under punters' guards once again and in the process put his Sydney Cup campaign back on track with a commanding victory in the Group Three Randwick City Stakes on Saturday.

Ridden by Nash Rawiller, the Paul Perry-trained gelding made a remarkable turnaround from last Saturday's Chipping Norton Stakes when he began awkwardly and dislodged jockey Jay Ford shortly after the start.

Subsequently, Newport had to barrier trial to the satisfaction of stewards during the week.

Perry said the six-year-old, who started at $13, would now most likely be aimed at the $2.25 million Group One BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 4 before heading to the 3200-metre Sydney Cup three weeks later.

The victory in Saturday's 2000-metre race took Newport over the $1 million mark in prizemoney and Perry said the Chipping Norton mishap turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

"He wouldn't have run today if that didn't happen, so it's all worked out pretty well," Perry said.

"I think this could be his best prep ever, he normally takes a while in his preparations to settle but he's switching off really well this time in and he showed that today."

Rawiller gave Newport a quiet ride out the back and began circling the field near the home turn before he rocketed home in the closing stages to defeat Enzedex Eagle ($5.50) by 1-1/2 lengths with Lang ($31) three-quarters of a length away third.

Newport carried the topweight of 58.5kg but Perry said you wouldn't know it the way he rattled home.

"Credit to Nash, he saved him up perfectly and he looked the winner a long way out," Perry said.

The win gave Rawiller a race-to-race double after steering Manhattan Rain home in the Group Three Skyline Stakes for trainer Gai Waterhouse.

Newport scored his biggest career win in the Group One Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) last year when he started at $41.