Newcombe from Forbes and Jeffries from Parkes were both successful apprentices and are now fully fledged jockeys.

Last year, Tiffany Jeffries was chief bridesmaid at Catherine Newcombe’s wedding.

Today at Forbes, Newcombe is riding Royal Society for local trainer Barry Molloy while Jeffries is booked for the Bruce Parker, Gilgandra trained Spicy Angers.

The most recent win for Royal Society was at Nyngan on Anzac Day while at the corresponding 2014 Forbes meeting, Royal Society was a fast finishing second to Outrageous Deal.

Winner of nine races and placed 16 times, Royal Society is arguably the best horse in the Spring Cup but has a hefty 63.5kg handicap, considerably more than all nine rivals.

The big weight to carry may entice bookmakers to gamble against the Forbes galloper.

Spicy Angers in a great lead-up to the Spring Cup ran home strongly when second to Tissue A Tissue at Dubbo.

That form looks good as the third placegetter Dane De Lago last campaign won the Dubbo heat of the rich Country Championship series.

Looming as a big danger is Layne from the Merv Rumble stable at Warren.

Layne, winner of eight races, has been given a freshen up since an unplaced run against classy company in the Cannonball at Dubbo.

Noted for going well when fresh, the prospects of Layne have been further enhanced with the booking of Nyngan apprentice Clayton Gallagher who can claim a 4kg allowance off the handicap.

Gulgong trainer Brett Thompson has also booked a 4kg claiming apprentice in Chelsea Ings from Hawkesbury for the very consistent Letyahairhangdown.

Chelsea Ings rode the third winner of her career when successful on Hong Kong Phooey at Mudgee last Saturday.

A winner at Louth in August, Letyahairhangdown has also been placed in recent starts at Gilgandra, Coonabarabran and Grenfell.

At Grenfell, Letyahairhangdown led until the last few strides when second to So Sure.

First race at Forbes at 2pm.