As Ecuador works his way to bigger Cups, one of the biggest of all may be beyond Raw Impulse.
The odds-on favourite for the Listed McKell Cup at Randwick, Raw Impulse struggled with the 2400m to finish four lengths fourth behind the Gai Waterhouse-trained Ecuador.
Ecuador
Until Saturday, English import Raw Impulse had won all three Australian starts for Darren Weir to be the $17 second favourite for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) but was immediately pushed out to $35.
Although it was Ecuador’s first attempt at the distance, he handled it with ease and now heads to the Group Two Brisbane Cup in two weeks after leading all the way to add the McKell Cup to his Lord Mayor’s Cup win.
“He’s been a slow maturer and I’ve been very patient with him,” Waterhouse said.
“He was fantastic today and the Brisbane Cup looks ideal.”
With Adam Hyeronimus aboard and carrying 59.5kg, Ecuador ($10) made his way to the front with not too much trouble and defied any attempt to get past him.
He had 1-3/4 lengths to spare over Iggi Pop ($20) with the same margin to Havana Cooler ($8) with Raw Impulse ($1.60) another half length behind.
Hyeronimus earned high praise from Waterhouse as well as his large and loud group of supporters known as The Hippo Club.
“My cousin Blake and a few of the boys love the races and go to a lot of meetings,” Hyeronimus said.
“I think it’s good to have them here.
“It was also good to win on Ecuador. He did all the work and did it so effortlessly.
“He had no problems with the 2400 metres and I was confident down the back straight.”
Waterhouse said Hyeronimus was the ideal rider for a horse such as Ecuador.
“He understands tempo and is great with front-running tactics,” she said.
“He judged it so perfectly.”
Sam Clipperton, who rode Raw Impulse said, in his opinion, he failed to stay the distance.
