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Rising three-year-old talent De Niro showed his rivals a clean pair of heels at Ruakaka on Saturday to set up a possible tilt at the Listed Wanganui Guineas at his next start.

The speedy son of O’Reilly showed a gutsy run for second at his previous start at the venue had done him the world of good as he defied his rivals to run him down after burning to the lead from a wide barrier and setting up a good gallop in front.

None could as he maintained a steady pace to the finish to the delight of co-trainer Jacob McKay who prepares the colt with father Peter at their Matamata base.

“We’ve always thought a lot of this guy and he has really come on nicely in this preparation after having no luck when he made his debut at Ellerslie,” noted McKay.

“He just needed a little time so we put him away after that and he did really well while he was spelling.

“We expected a good run last time and he was only narrowly beaten and he looks like he took plenty of benefit from that as he did it fairly comfortably this time.”

De Niro and stablemate Amarula have both created a good impression over the past few weeks on the better surface available at this time of the year at Ruakaka with McKay keen to avoid a clash with the pair if possible.

“At this stage we want are keen to send De Niro to Wanganui for the Guineas in September while Amarula will contest a three-year-old race at Ruakaka a week later,” he explained.

“That will depend on the track at Wanganui though as if it’s going to be too wet then they will both go to Ruakaka.

“It’s not ideal that they clash but you can’t always keep them apart so we will do what we need to.”

McKay is also looking forward to the first appearance of the new season for champion galloper Puccini who will contest an open trial at Ruakaka on the 1st of August.

“There are a number of top horses having a run before the races start that day and it fits nicely into his programme,” he said.

“He’s pretty relaxed at present so it will be good to see where he is at against the others as we start to get him ready for the first day at Hastings.”