Tatakai Uta's next start under consideration by Freedman

Mitch Freedman, the Ballarat-based trainer, is weighing up the strategic decision of whether to present Tatakai Uta at Flemington for a straight 1100-metre race or to await a more accommodating contest.

Freedman believes Tatakai Uta possesses the attributes of a city-grade competitor but harbours concerns that the three-year-old might be making the leap to metropolitan racing too soon.

The Rod Johnson Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday is Tatakai Uta's current engagement, but the potential participation of Sydney contender Ice Kool is a factor weighing on Freedman's mind.

"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 remarked.

Tatakai Uta has competed on just three occasions, securing second place in maiden races at Donald and Bendigo before achieving his initial victory during the latter part of the three-day Swan Hill Carnival earlier this month.

The gelding was the commanding $1.36 favourite, and Freedman admitted that Tatakai Uta had caused his supporters some anxious moments prior to his win.

However, that win arrived at a beneficial time, though Freedman is cautious about undoing the progress made by advancing to city racing prematurely.

"He's a horse that has plenty of upside, but he's just doing a couple of things wrong still," Freedman explained.

"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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