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Series favourite Archedemus is a firm market leader to win Saturday's Provincial Championships Qualifier at Newcastle.

The Gwenda Markwell-trained galloper is a $1.65 favourite to win on Saturday and book his place in the $500,000 Randwick Final over 1400m on April 13.

Archedemus is currently a $4.50 favourite to capture the Final on Day 2 of The Championships.

Newcastle-trained Turnberry ($6) and the Hawkesbury entry Bobbing ($8) are the only other runners in single figures for Saturday’s heat.

Archedemus comes in to the race off an impressive win in Benchmark 78 company at Rosehill on February 23, taking his record to four wins from six starts.

“Archedemus is stifling the betting for Saturday’s race,” said TAB spokesman Andrew Georgiou.

“We are expecting him to be very popular with punters, especially with those taking multis.

“He will be appealing to punters who are looking for a bit of value in their multis, doubles and trebles.”

Leading provincial trainers Kris Lees and Kim Waugh have strong entries in Saturday’s heat.

Wyong-based Waugh already has two horses qualified for this year’s final and hopes Fuchu can join them by finishing top three on Saturday.

Waugh prepared the quinella in this year’s opening heat at Hawkesbury where Safado beat stablemate Spring Charlie.

Fuchu brings form to rival Archedemus on Saturday, having won his last three starts at Newcastle, Wyong and Randwick.

Waugh is yet to win the Provincial Championship but has had three minor placings in the final since the series was introduced in 2015.

Newcastle’s leading trainer Kris Lees has won two of the four Provincial Championships with Danish Twist in 2016 and Serene Miss in 2018.

He runs Turnberry and Bastia in his home track heat on Saturday.