Freedman brothers ready to launch Love Tap for Brisbane winter

Michael Freedman is looking for the talented Love Tap to punch his ticket to feature races in the spring when he resumes from a long injury lay-off at Doomben on Saturday.

The three-year-old looked set for bigger and better things after reeling off four wins in five starts, including Group 3 success in the Gloaming in September before being stopped in his tracks by a hock injury.

After brushing aside interest from Hong Kong buyers, Love Tap resumes in the 3YO Plate at Doomben where Freedman – who trains in partnership with his brother Richard – hopes he can set himself up with a low-key campaign.

“He trialled well the other day and I think he is going into it with us thinking he is a good chance, not a good thing,” Freedman said of the $2.90 chance with TAB.

“If he can run on well, that sets him up to have a couple more runs there over winter before coming back for spring.

“He has been off the scene for a while now because he missed the autumn in Sydney.

“He came in and had a bit of a swollen hock that wasn’t coming down so we made the decision to stop and put him out to start again.”

Love Tap is favourite to win race three at Doomben. Picture: Getty Images

While he holds a nomination for the $1.5 million Stradbroke Handicap, Freedman said it was just a case of covering all bases as they take a cautious approach to his return.

“The Stradbroke is just an option, the entries are so early so you enter and keep options open,” he said.

“We will see how he comes back and then go from there. I think the Derby would come around too quick for him.

“He has had a good break, there is improvement to come out of whatever he does. He could have a couple more runs up there over the carnival then go into spring with a bit of confidence.”

â–  Rockhampton Jockey Club announced star West Australian jockey William Pike will ride at the Central Queensland track during their cup carnival in July.

Pike will ride on both Newmarket and Rockhampton Cup days on July 9 and 10.

It follows Pike’s first ride in the Sunshine State last week where he made the trip east to compete at the Gold Coast’s Hollindale Stakes day meeting.

“He has always wanted to do it; he loves the look of our track here, the first comment he made to me was that he was always wanted to ride our track,” Rockhampton Jockey Club CEO Tony Fenlon said.

“We were halfway home in getting him to our Club as soon as we made the phone call, which is great.”