Darren Weir is planning to send Raw Impulse on another interstate trip despite the import’s first Australian defeat in the McKell Cup at Randwick.
Raw Impulse was beaten into fourth place behind Ecuador as the $1.60 favourite at his first attempt at 2400m on Saturday, his first start for Weir outside Victoria.
Weir said Raw Impulse had every chance and wasn’t good enough, but he thought the run would do him the world of good.
“Taking on those old, tough, seasoned stayers, they’re always hard to beat but I was still happy with him,” Weir said.
Weir said the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast in July was a race that could suit.
“I’d like to give him another run and another trip away to make him grow up,” Weir said.
“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 became one of Melbourne’s most hyped horses following three unbeaten runs since his arrival from Britain.
Jockeys Hugh Bowman and Brad Rawiller both gave the four-year-old a glowing report following his first and second Australian starts, declaring him a black type winner of the future.
Raw Impulse was challenging for favouritism for the Caulfield Cup but has since drifted to $35 following his McKell Cup defeat.
Weir suggested the bigger spring features may be a little premature.
“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.”
