Ballarat trainer Mitch Freedman is in a quandary regarding the next career step for Tatakai Uta, weighing the merits of a Flemington straight race against targeting a less formidable contest.
Freedman is of the opinion that Tatakai Uta has the potential to develop into a city-class competitor but is apprehensive about pushing the three-year-old into metropolitan racing prematurely.
The gelding is scheduled to participate in the Rod Johnson Handicap (1100m) at Flemington this Saturday, but the potential involvement of Sydney contender Ice Kool is a factor occupying Freedman’s thoughts.
“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 commented.
Tatakai Uta has had only three starts, finishing second in maiden races at Donald and Bendigo before recording his maiden win at the Swan Hill Carnival midway through the month.
Sent off as the $1.36 favourite, Tatakai Uta reportedly gave his supporters some nervous moments before ultimately winning, according to Freedman.
While the victory was timely, Freedman is keen to avoid compromising the horse’s development by taking him to the city too soon.
“He’s a horse that has plenty of upside, but he’s just doing a couple of things wrong still,” Freedman said.
“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.”
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