Australia: Daltoro continues comeback in 5-furlong handicap

Since a return from a four-month layoff in November, Daltoro has won by a nose and finished second by a neck and a head in sprint handicaps at minor tracks in Australia.

Daltoro, a 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, has run in races at 4 1/2 furlongs and five furlongs in recent starts and rates as a leading contender in a five-furlong handicap at Taree Racecourse on Monday.

Daltoro, trained by Kris Lees, has won 2 of 7 starts and will have his debut at Taree on Monday in the last of six races on a program that begins at 9:45 p.m. Eastern, or 6:45 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering and viewing is available through DRFBets.com.

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Daltoro drew post 12, which will give jockey Andrew Gibbons options whether to take the lead or stalk the pace. Daltoro has raced well in both scenarios, but a stalking trip may be a better style.

Pace Stick is likely to set the pace, and was the early favorite at 9-5 in early betting. Daltoro was 3-1, a slight second choice over Bit of a Beauty at 5-1.

Pace Stick has won 3 of 8 starts, including two of his last four starts. Trained by Brett Dodson, Pace Stick has not raced since a win in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Taree on Oct. 16, his only start at the tiny venue well north of Sydney on the Australian east coast.

Bit of a Beauty will have her Taree debut having won 3 of 9 starts in her career. A 4-year-old Australian-bred filly, Bit of a Beauty won a handicap at 4 1/2 furlongs at Scone on Dec. 11, but was 10th of 13 in a handicap against a much tougher field at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 26.