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By Ray Hickson

Any steps promising four-year-old Willinga Rufio takes this spring he’ll earn as trainer Mark Newnham plans a low key campaign that kicks off at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Trainer Mark Newnham.

With two wins from three starts in the late autumn and early winter the gelding signalled a bright future and while Newnham says he’s still on a learning curve he’s placed Willinga Rufio to advantage in the Acrobat @ Coolmore Handicap (1600m).

“He’s still learning, he still does a bit wrong so it’s better to make a mistake in easier grade where you can still win,’’ he said.

“He’s a very talented horse, it’s just a matter of setting him on the right path to get the best out of him.

“He’s been a late maturer but there’s plenty of time to still be rewarded for being patient.

“His trials have shown he’s probably improved again since last prep, he went a long way in a short space of time. I’m expecting he will have a good spring and probably a better autumn.”

Newnham said Willinga Rufio, $2.50 with TAB on Tuesday, is starting off at a mile to play to his strengths and expects from the inside barrier jockey Tyler Schiller can have him prominent throughout.

He’s been fitted with two barrier trials and the Randwick trainer has no qualms about the trip first-up, especially considering he won on debut at 1500m.

“I tend to run them where they are going to be comfortable in running,’’ he said.

“At 1400m or under he’s going to get out of his comfort zone and they end up having a harder run.

“He was really quick out in his last trial and I would say if he’s out like that he will probably lead the race. If he doesn’t jump well we’ll be looking for plan B.

“He’s got a good high cruising speed, which he used to effect at Rosehill at his second start, and once you get those sort of horses to their right distance they end up being pretty good because they can maintain a good gallop for a long period of time.”

Three-year-old Shadow Vampire debuted in a strong race back in May and Newnham is hoping for a bit more luck in the Furphy Plate (1100m) than he’s had in his two trials.

His debut fourth behind Koshu was more than enough to tell Newnham there’s some ability in the locker and suspects with an outside barrier he’ll at least have the chance to let down.

“It was a really strong maiden and he’d probably come to the end of his prep,’’ he said.

“He sprinted up quickly then was a little soft late but he’s come back in good order. I hope he gets more clear running than he had in his trials.”

Willinga Rufio wins Canterbury trial September 1

Newnham said his only concern is the rail placement, on what is likely to be a good track, not being conducive to making ground from the back.

He has a similar worry with Shadow Devil in the Precise Fire Handicap (1200m) though he said a firm track will be right up that horse’s alley on the back of some strong trial performances.

“He was terrific in his first two starts and then he had a few small issues and didn’t enjoy those heavy tracks,’’ he said.

“He will run very well, it’s just a matter of how the track is playing as to whether he has a winning chance or not. If he finds a fair track where you can run on he’ll be in the finish.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting