Lee Freedman thought enough of Java as a three-year-old to tackle a Group One weight-for-age race during an autumn campaign.
On Saturday, the lightly raced four-year-old makes his return to racing from a six-month spell in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Java hasn’t raced since finishing third behind Setinum in the Bendigo Guineas in March which followed his fourth placing behind Dissident in the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in February.
Freedman said he had no ambitious plans for the gelding at this stage of his spring campaign.
“There’s a bit of improvement in him,” Freedman said.
“He was very wintry in his coat early on, but he’s coming right so it’s time to get going with him.
“I’ll just keep him around this Listed level for a little while and see how he goes, but his form through Setinum in the Bendigo Guineas looks alright now.”
Setinum returned at Caulfield last month with an impressive win over 1200m before being forced to cover ground when beaten three lengths the Memsie Stakes.
He finished eighth in the Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington last week.
Freedman said there was usually plenty of options for a horse like Java during the spring carnival.
“Usually with these sort of horses if you’re patient a race presents itself that you can have a crack at,” he said.
Java provided Freedman with his first winner back when he rejoined training ranks last December after taking a three-year sabatical from training.
The gelding won four races on end including the Group Three Manfred Stakes at Sandown in January before his Group One fourth at Caulfield.
