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Saturday’s Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings has received an injection of international flavour with the late entry of the Darren Weir-trained stakes winner Raw Impulse.

The Makfi entire has been battling with firm tracks in Australia and his connections believe the softer track conditions in New Zealand will benefit their runner who hasn’t won in two years since taking out the Listed Penang Trophy (1800m) at Morphetville on a soft7 track.

“We’re hoping for some soft conditions, that is what we are looking for,” Syndication Manager for Australian Bloodstock Jamie Lovett said.

“He is a horse that has got unlimited ability but he had a chip out of a knee and we just haven’t had him right since then.

“He doesn’t let down on these fast tracks that we seem to be getting in Australia all the time, so we are hoping we can just get the right conditions over there.

“He’s a genuine Group horse on his day, given the right conditions. So it will be interesting if he does get the right cut in the track.”

Raw Impulse finished unplaced in his last-start over 1700m in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield earlier this month, but Lovett said he was the victim of a firm track once again.

“I put it down to the firm tracks, he’s got a history now of if the track comes up fast he just doesn’t perform.

“He won the nine furlong race in Adelaide (Penang Trophy) and he bolted in that day on a heavy track. So he has clearly got the right formline, provided he gets the cut in the track.”

Raw Impulse will race under trainer Darren Weir’s name on Saturday, but will then be transferred to the Marton stable of Fraser Auret’s where he will continue his spring campaign in New Zealand.

“Darren will keep him in his name for this race and then we will leave him over there and just punch around and try and find some soft tracks,” Lovett said.

“We’re just looking to change his environment a bit and try to get him back into some sort of form.”

Raw Impulse will need an ounce of luck to make Saturday’s field as he currently sits 16th in order of entry for the 14 horse field.

Fellow late entrant Lizzie L’Amour has done Raw Impulse no favours, with the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Group One winner securing the third spot in order of entry for Saturday’s Group One mile.