Jockey Craig Newitt could hold the key that unlocks the undeniable talent of moody galloper Jungle Ruler on the way to next week's Winter Championship Final.Newitt was re-acquainted with the five-year-old two starts ago when he finished a brave seventh in Queensland's Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and he is back on board him in the final heat of the Winter Championship (1410m) at Flemington on Saturday, a week before the 1600m final.Mornington trainer Peter White said that being a stalli

Jockey Craig Newitt could hold the key that unlocks the undeniable talent of moody galloper Jungle Ruler on the way to next week's Winter Championship Final.

Newitt was re-acquainted with the five-year-old two starts ago when he finished a brave seventh in Queensland's Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and he is back on board him in the final heat of the Winter Championship (1410m) at Flemington on Saturday, a week before the 1600m final.

Mornington trainer Peter White said that being a stallion, Jungle Ruler had got cunning and that Newitt's vigorous riding style was needed to get the best out of the horse.

"He (Jungle Ruler) has got to the stage where he might be getting a bit smart and giving it away from time to time," White said.

"I think Craig suits him as he's a horse that needs to feel you are there."

Newitt has had four rides on Jungle Ruler for a win at Geelong and a close second over 1400 metres at Flemington in December 2007.

White said the grey had coped well with his trip to Queensland where he was with the leaders in the Stradbroke until the dying stages of the race.

He said he had taken no harm from his failure in the Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich where he claims he was not suited by the odd-shaped track.

"The signs are pretty positive and I think we will see him put his best foot forward on Saturday," White said.

"He hasn't missed a beat since he's come back home.

"You know he's right when he is a bit playful and I'm happy with his blood count and his demeanour around the stable."

Jungle Ruler has run some of his best races against the odds and in May he surprised with a form reversal leading all the way at $26 to score over 1400 metres at Caulfield.

Last year he was competitive against some of the stars of the spring and was beaten only two lengths when fifth to Light Fantastic in the Group Two Liston Stakes (1400m).

White said the Winter Championship had always been an option for Jungle Ruler and that while he has drawn wide he was racing over his best distance with eight of his 11 wins being at 1400 metres.

"If he runs well he will back up in the final next week as I think he will relax enough now to get the mile (1600m)," White said.

On Thursday TAB Sportsbet opened Jungle Ruler at $15 for Saturday's Championship heat along with Soul Diva and former West Australian Famous Roman, trained by Brian Mayfield-Smith.

Famous Roman's stablemate Stickpin was $5.50 favourite ahead of Provincial Plate winner Woodwin at $7.