Newport has been on his best behaviour for jockey Hugh Bowman who is confident the grey can end his roller-coaster autumn carnival on a high in the Sydney Cup.The Paul Perry-trained Newport showed wayward tendencies when he twice jumped out of the barriers and dumped his jockey.Newport comes into Saturday's 3200-metre race at Randwick a week after running fourth to Prima Nova in the Listed JRA Plate (2000m) at the same track.Bowman was aboard and said the horse didn't display any of his antics s

Newport has been on his best behaviour for jockey Hugh Bowman who is confident the grey can end his roller-coaster autumn carnival on a high in the Sydney Cup.

The Paul Perry-trained Newport showed wayward tendencies when he twice jumped out of the barriers and dumped his jockey.

Newport comes into Saturday's 3200-metre race at Randwick a week after running fourth to Prima Nova in the Listed JRA Plate (2000m) at the same track.

Bowman was aboard and said the horse didn't display any of his antics shortly after the start.

"He's slow out of the gates and always has a little bit of time by himself and that's when he starts thinking about doing something," Bowman said.

"But he didn't give me any trouble."

The Randwick surface was rated a slow seven on Friday and with more rain forecast Bowman is growing more confident by the day.

"The wetter the better," Bowman said.

"I really think he's a top chance, he settled very nicely last time out and gave me the impression he would get the two miles and he's a class horse and they come to the fore in these races."

Bowman had Newport last at the turn in the JRA Plate before rounding the field.

"I didn't want him to run an unlucky seventh or something like that," Bowman said.

"I took him wide to give him a chance to rattle home and he did a great job and had the run Paul was looking for the Cup.

"I know Paul is very happy with the horse and the way he's done since the run."

Newport produced a remarkable turnaround to win the Group Three Randwick City Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on March 14.

The win came after Perry was ordered by stewards to trial Newport after he dislodged Jay Ford shortly after the start of the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes.

However, one start after his Randwick win his Sydney Cup campaign looked to have gone off the rails when he dislodged Dan Nikolic shortly after the field jumped in the Group One Ranvet Stakes on March 21.

Newport caused a massive upset when he won the Group One Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) at Randwick last year at $41.

TAB Sportsbet has Newport at $9.50 for the Sydney Cup.