Ballarat’s Mitch Freedman is contemplating the best course of action for Tatakai Uta, weighing up a potential run at Flemington in a straight race against seeking a less challenging assignment.
Freedman is of the view that Tatakai Uta has the potential to become a city-class performer but harbours concerns about bringing the three-year-old to town too soon.
Tatakai Uta is nominated for the Rod Johnson Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday, but the presence of Sydney visitor Ice Kool is a significant consideration for Freedman.
“The Sydney visitor looks exceptionally good and looks like it does a lot of things right, so it will be very hard to beat if it does come down here,” Freedman stated.
Tatakai Uta has only raced three times, finishing second in maiden races at Donald and Bendigo before breaking his duck at the Swan Hill Carnival earlier this month.
The gelding started as the $1.36 favourite and Freedman indicated that Tatakai Uta had provided his supporters with some anxious moments before his victory.
This win was well-timed, but Freedman is cautious about undoing the gelding’s progress by racing in the city prematurely.
“He’s a horse that has plenty of upside, but he’s just doing a couple of things wrong still,” Freedman noted.
“He was a short-priced favourite at Swan Hill and he did a few things wrong and probably gave punters a few nervous moments, but he’s shown us enough ability, and I think he will be a horse that gets to city level, but whether that’s now or later down the track.
“We’re a little bit hesitant while he’s learning whether he needs to take that step to town, so whether it’s now or whether we should be aiming for something softer, we shall see.
“Having said that, horses that are progressive in that three-year-old grade, you can really see them leap to a new level, but it’s a balancing act how much you raise the bar and how much that might destroy his confidence.
“It’s a little bit tricky.”
Should Tatakai Uta contest the Rod Johnson Handicap, punters can find competitive racing betting markets at top Australian betting sites.