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Driver Aldo Cortopassi is set to reunite with Magnificent Storm in Monday’s Mount Eden Sprint (1684m) at Pinjarra.
Cortopassi hasn’t driven the Ray Williams-trained pacer since the inaugural Nullarbor in 2023, where he was unplaced.
Only Aiden De Campo and Dylan Egerton-Green have driven the gelding since that event.
With both drivers suspended, the door opened for Cortopassi to drive Magnificent Storm once more.
Cortopassi said the disappointment of the Nullarbor was behind both himself and Williams.
“I caught up with Ray and Dottie more than a year ago and had a barbecue with them,” Cortopassi told Racing WA Harness.
“I said to Ray ‘I would drive for you any day and I don’t want horses getting in the way of our friendship’.
“I can’t wait to have a spin on my old mate.”
Magnificent Storm has scored eight wins from his 13 starts since Cortopassi last drove him, including the 2023 WA Pacing Cup.
Despite missing the Pacing Cup win, Cortopassi said he was glad the horse got his moment in the spotlight.
“It was hard early days watching him and not driving him,” he said.
“When I won the Pacing Cup I was just wrapped for Ray.
“As soon as he crossed the line, I sent him a message saying how wrapped I was for him.
“I was gutted for him he missed last year’s Nullarbor.”
Magnificent Storm tuned up for his return to racing winning a Pinjarra trial in 1:57.3 a fortnight ago, beating talented mare Wonderful To Fly in the process.
The eight-year-old is set to get a fierce examination on his return to racing, where he’s set to take on a quality field, headlined by Pinjarra Cup winner Minstrel.
While Cortopassi said he was going to enjoy the opportunity, he was under no illusion of the significance of the $50,000 event ahead of next month’s Nullarbor.
“I’m happy to see him get back to the track,” he said.
“He’s going to be better for the run and there won’t be too much pressure on him first-up.
“Being at Pinjarra, they will run some real time and that gives everyone a fair chance.
“We can drive him cold if we want to and he will still be a chance.”
Monday’s card also features the Dr Ed Dewar Golden Girls Mile (1684m), where Steno, Aardiebytheseaside and Penny Black are set to feature.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix