Australia: Conditions may suit Nicolini Vito in Pakenham handicap

Nicolini Vito, the 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, will have his third start following a layoff in a six-furlong handicap at Pakenham Racecourse on Thursday.

Conditions may be in his favor.

A winner of 2 of 7 starts, Nicolini Vito was third in his return from a layoff of nearly 10 months on Oct. 3 at Bendigo, closing with interest to lose by a length. In a six-furlong handicap on Oct. 22 at Moonee Valley, Nicolini Vito broke from the outside in a field of 11, failed to settle in the first half of the race, and finished sixth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths.

Nicolini Vito won twice at six furlongs last October and November, closing from off the pace.

At Pakenham, Nicolini Vito has a more favorable draw in post 4 in a field of 12 that could be affected by late scratches. The promising 3-year-old filly My Yankee is the lone horse on the also-eligible list and would be a contender if she draws into the field.

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My Yankee has started twice, winning her debut in a five-furlong maiden race on Oct. 8 at Cranbourne and finishing second by about a neck in a five-furlong handicap on Oct. 21 at Ballarat. She is another runner who can be a late factor.

The race lacks a confirmed front-runner, but the 9-year-old gelding High Cost has shown speed at times in recent starts. High Cost has won 16 of 107 starts in a career that began in April 2015.

Litchfield County will be favored, but there is an argument against expecting too much. Pakenham is expected to have a soft turf course, and Litchfield County was last of 10 on a heavy turf course in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 3 at Bendigo in his first start since May.

Litchfield County certainly has the class to win this race should conditions dry or he take to a soft course. On May 1, Litchfield County was second by 1 1/2 lengths in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes at six furlongs on good turf at Morphettville Racecourse.

Pakenham has an eight-race program, beginning at 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.