Cortopassi To Be Patient With Theo
Trainer Aldo Cortopassi won’t rush last year’s 4yo Championship winner Theo Aviator into consistent Free-For-All racing this campaign, despite his impressive trial at Byford on Sunday.
Theo Aviator worked to the front and was never troubled in the 2150m trial, where he rated 1.55.8 on a rain affected track.
Theo Aviator will make his return to racing in this Friday’s Worldwide Printing FFA Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park where he has drawn barrier one.
With Chicago Bull missing from this week’s event, Theo Aviator is part of a bigger FFA field of 10 runners in the $25,000 event.
After winning the 4yo Championship, Theo Aviator went on to finish top four in both the 4yo Classic and Golden Nugget.
Cortopassi then gave the gelding four starts in FFA company, including the Village Kid Sprint and Pinjarra Cup.
Despite the nature of his trial, Cortopassi said he would likely pick and choose what FFA races to tackle with the son of Mr Aviator this campaign.
“He’s done a great job since the first day he hit the race track,” he told TABradio’s One Out One Back.
“There’s some nice races coming up but we might try and sidestep a few of these nicer ones until he gets himself up to scratch.
“He’s got a few issues behind the scenes, as most horses do at this level but we will take each week as it comes with him.
“We will be a bit more selective in our strategy with racing him.
“If we have to crash against them in the good races then we will.”
Theo Aviator has an impressive record of 15 wins and 11 placings from his 44 starts and already a multiple Group 2 winner.
Cortopassi also gave Roman Aviator his chance at Free-For-All level in February’s RWWA Cup where he finished fifth behind Handsandwheels.
He will also get his chance in fast class this week from barrier six.
Roman Aviator, a winner at 16 of 67 career starts, defeated Jimmy Mack and Motu Premier in his 2150m on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, Trotters Cup winner Mr Sundon will be out to make it three successive wins in tonight’s Channel 7 Trot (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
The six-year-old was a beaten favourite off 40m in a 2503m stand first-up but has since gone on to score comfortable wins at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park on July 27 and August 7 respectively.
The Ross Olivieri-trained trotter will start from barrier seven of seven.
Tim Walker