Jye McNeil's ability to ride at a light weight has helped Melbourne's leading apprentice gain a Group One opportunity in one of the country's most famous sprint races.

McNeil was delighted to pick up the ride on Secret Agenda in Saturday's Newmarket Handicap.

It will be McNeil's third ride in a Group One race having finished last on Petrology in this season's Rupert Clarke Stakes and fourth on Pittsburgh Flyer in the Oakleigh Plate.

"My manager rang me around midday on Wednesday to tell me we picked up a ride in the Newmarket at 50 kilos. Fortunately that's not a problem for me," McNeil said.

"It's terrific to have a ride in a race like the Newmarket."

Secret Agenda is a Group Three winner down the Flemington straight against her own age and sex and resumed this preparation with a second in the Typhoon Tracy Stakes at Moonee Valley.

McNeil says the filly is in form but needs to be given she's taking on a quality line-up.

"But with 50 kilos, you just never know," he said.

McNeil leads the Melbourne apprentices' premiership with 21 wins and has eight winners left to outride his claim before the end of May.