21 October 2022 | Tim Walker
A lot has changed since Theo Aviator last graced the Gloucester Park circuit.
Theo Aviator, a winner at 15 of 46 starts, last raced in August 2020 and returns to headquarters tomorrow night under the care of new trainer Corey Peterson.
The six-year-old’s recent trials at Pinjarra suggest he’s ready to return to the races in as good a condition he’s ever been.
Peterson said he was pleased to get the opportunity to train Theo Aviator and had overcome a couple of hurdles to get him to the races.
“I trained Roman Aviator for the owner Peter George when I was over in Sydney,” he told The Trots WA.
“He told me he wanted to give Theo Aviator another go and then pull the pin if he doesn’t handle it.
“He’s had a few issues with his knees and a couple of breathing issues in the past, but he hasn’t missed a beat since he’s been with me.”
Theo Aviator won the 2019 Pearl Classic (2130m) as a three-year-old and returned to win the Group 2 Four-Year-Old Championship (2130m) later in the year.
He went on to be placed in the Group 1 Four-Year-Old Classic as well.
He makes his return in the Aylmore Classic Pace (2130m) tomorrow night, where he has drawn barrier four in what’s set to be one of the most intriguing races on the card.
Theo Aviator only has five rivals in the event, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality.
The Mustang has made a big impression in his two starts in Perth, while stablemate Beat City makes his return from a spell in barrier one.
In-form pacers Ideal Agent and Boom Time also feature in the event.
Peterson said he was pleased with Theo Aviator’s trials but expected he would find it hard to win from a tricky barrier first-up.
“The first trial we drove him quietly and just wanted to get a feel for him,” he said.
“He was really switched-on last week in the second trial, and he has come on from that.
“He won’t be driven out hard because he will need the run, but he’s still pretty forward.
“He will be driven quietly but he has shown he’s got a bit of speed, so I think he can be driven that way.”
Peterson will have to watch Theo Aviator’s return from the comforts of home tomorrow night, with the young trainer contracting COVID earlier in the week.
Peterson said he hoped to be back driving soon.
“I’m still taking it easy and don’t want to overdo it,” he said.
“I’m planning to start working and training again next week and I should be able to drive in a month.
“I’ve been lucky to have Kim (Prentice) and Mitch (Miller) help out working the horses for me.”
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