The Richard and Michael Freedman trained Love Tap made it four wins from four starts at Rosehill on Saturday by taking out the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) in a brilliant front-running performance.
The three-year-old became the first stakes winner for USA sire Tapit thanks to an aggressive ride from jockey Nash Rawiller, who chose to get to the front early and never look back.
“I didn’t expect Nash to lead. I said to Nash don’t let the leaders get too far away. He kind of took that a bit literally” co-trainer Richard Freedman said.
“I was happy to see him out there. They would have to run some good sectionals to run over him. He only does what he has to. He is a pretty relaxed track worker and a pretty relaxed horse generally. That is job done. He’s building.”
Love Tap had won his pervious three starts at Nowra and Goulburn over shorter and was well-supported to handle the step up to the 1800m.
The Freedman gelding went around as the $1.80 favourite in the nine-horse field as he now looks ahead to his first Group 1 start in next fortnight’s $1 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
“Let’s hope he goes just like that. Or even better. That is the plan,” Freedman went on to say.
Love Tap remains the favourite for the Spring Champion Stakes, but he has seen a trim from $3.40 all the way in to $2.70.
Street Dancer, who ran on for second on Saturday, remains a $26.00 chance.
Ladbrokes’ All-In 2020 Spring Champion Stakes market can be viewed here.