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El Disparo added serious momentum to his jumping career at Hawke’s Bay.

He opened his account over fences in fine style in the Bay Ford New Zealand Punter of the Year 6/10 (2500m) to encourage trainer Mark Brooks to target a prestige event.

“He will probably go to Te Rapa on Pakuranga Hunt Cup day and then the Great Northern,” he said.

El Disparo has been lightly-tried over jumps with a placing from two previous attempts.

“He had a couple of runs in Australia last year so he shows plenty of promise,” Brooks said.

El Disparo settled off the pace and he improved between runners near the turn and finished off strongly in the straight to account for Bigredmoon.

“The plan was to settle him early and run home well and he did just that,” Brooks said.

El Disparo is part-owned by breeders Frank and Faye Drummond, who also share in the ownership of third placegetter El Bayardo and recent Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) winner El Luchador.

The winner was ridden by Will Gordon, who said their pre-race plan worked to perfection.

“We wanted to get him to relax early and run home. He’s a nice horse.”