News & Media

29 May 2012 Cortopassi Returns To Winners List

Aldo Cortopassi capped off a successful return from a serious shoulder injury when he drove Cheerful Dane to a comfortable victory at Pinjarra yesterday.

He butters up again tonight at Bunbury with two top prospects including Im The Sphinx in race two and Jimmi Chew in the third.

Im The Sphinx has had three starts back this campaign with her best return a third placing to Say Yes Josephine at Gloucester Park earlier in April.

Cortopassi said Im The Sphinx has the speed to take full advantage from barrier one in the Frankel Street Liquor Fillies and Mares Pace (2100m).

"She has natural speed and we should be able to utilise that early," said Cortopassi.

"We hopefully can lead and control the tempo of the race.

"She is still green and gets a little lost if caught deep and wants to hang a little bit.

"I've put dolly vardons on to smarten her up a little.

"I think she will be on her game tonight and be hard to beat"

Stable mate Jimi Chew has been knocking on the door with five placings from his past eight appearances including a last-start third at Harvey two weeks ago.

Cortopassi believes a smart getaway will be crucial to Jimi Chew's prospects in the RTW Conditioned Pace (2500m).

"He likes to gallop in his first couple of strides but then hits his hopples and is off and pacing," said Cortopassi.

"He is a consistent and honest little horse who will run another big race tonight"