Pinjarra trainer-reinsman Aldo Cortopassi was delighted with Theo Aviator’s sparkling trial at Byford on Sunday morning and he predicts a successful campaign for the three-year-old.
Theo Aviator will be appearing after a beneficial spell when he starts from barrier two in the Matt Allen Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He’s got gate speed and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins first-up,” said Cortopassi, who has taken over the preparation of the lightly-raced gelding after Aiden Warwick decided last week to take a break away from harness racing.
“Theo Aviator was probably a bit further forward than I thought he was when he ran such a good trial on Sunday. I didn’t even pull the plugs and he ran a pretty good last half (in 57.1sec.). He has developed into a lovely horse; the break has done him the world of good. He has grown a bit and filled out a lot.
“Even though he has drawn well it won’t be an easy task for him on Friday night against some very smart three-year-olds in Gee Jay Kay, Bletchley Park, Shockwave, The Lightning Strike, Babyface Adda and Machlani.
“However, if we find the front, which I think he can, they’ll definitely know he’s there. He’s a funny gaited horse, a little daisy-cutter, and when he actually gets up and running, he’s in a better rhythm. The faster they run, the better he is.
“He will be set for the Westbred Classics and the WA Derby this season.”
Theo Aviator was not driven out from barrier four in Sunday’s trial and he settled down in third place on the pegs before Cortopassi sent him forward with about 1200m to travel. Theo Aviator then took the lead 950m from home and was challenged strongly by Franco Edward for much of the final circuit. He fought on grandly to win narrowly from Franco Edward.
Also resuming after a spell on Friday night will be the Vicki Lea-trained Gee Jay Kay (barrier four) and Bletchley Park (six). Both should prove hard to beat. Gee Jay Kay won very easily at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park in July before going for a spell and Bletchley Park won at five of his eight starts as a two-year-old. He was a half-head second to Franco Edward in the group 1 Golden Slipper in July before being turned out.
Cortopassi declared that his best winning chance ion Friday night was the Ray Williams-trained Walkinshaw , who will start from the No. 4 barrier in the 2130m Colin Cowden Pace.
Cortopassi drove Walkinshaw for the first time when the resumed racing after a four-month absence last Friday week when he scored an effortless victory over Kimani and Suspicious Life.
“He’s a serious horse; he’s got a motor and I didn’t realise just how well he was travelling until I went back and looked at the times,” Cortopassi said. “He won in a jog.”
