Raw Impulse was unable to justify his resounding favouritism in his black type debut last weekend, but will likely be given another chance to display his quality in a race like the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) on the Sunshine Coast on July 2nd.
Raw Impulse will likely contest the Listed Caloundra Cup in early July. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Jumping from the gates fairly in the WJ McKell Cup (2400m), jockey Sam Clipperton settled Raw Impulse within the field of twelve as Ecuador and Iggi Pop set the pace past the post the first time.
Offered a clear racing line upon arriving at the final straight, the Makfi entire was unable to produce much of a kick late but maintained well-enough to finish a credible fourth.
Trainer Darren Weir said he was pleased with Raw Impulse’s overall performance against a number of notable opponents, and will likely look towards something ‘a little bit easier’ north of the border before returning to the paddock.
“Taking on those old, tough, seasoned stayers, they’re always hard to beat but I was still happy with him,” Weir told AAP.
“I’d like to give him another run and another trip away to make him grow up.
“We might pick something a little bit easier up in Brisbane. A race like the Caloundra Cup is something we could look at.”
Raw Impulse was touted as a leading contender for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October prior to his run in the WJ McKell Cup, but Weir revealed the four-year-old may be kept to a light preparation and smaller targets upon his spring resumption.
“He might join in late in the spring, in something like the Sandown Classic,” Weir said.
“He’ll end up a good horse eventually. It’s just he’s still a work in progress.”
Raw Impulse has posted a commendable four wins and three minors through his nine competitive starts since first appearing on course in his native Great Britain competitively in April 2015.
Beating a talent-rich field by two lengths in the New Racing Maiden Stakes (2057m) at Nottingahm in May, Raw Impulse finished in the minors through three subsequent starts before his transferral to the care of Weir in October.
Debuting in Australia for a comfortable win in the Adapt Australian BM78 (1500m) on March 24th, Raw Impulse repeated the dose in each of the Selangor Turf Club BM78 (1800m) and Racing Photos BM90 (2000m) leading into the WJ McKell Cup.
Raw Impulse has drifted to early 2016 Caulfield Cup odds of $34 with Ladbrokes Australia since his last start fourth.
