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.

It’s verging on the language of epic poetry, this listing of the main combatants in the featured sixth race Wednesday at Happy Valley, where Sparkling Dragon meets Drops of God in a 1,200-meter Class 2 handicap for horses rated 100-80.

Sparkling Dragon has the experience and the proven ability in Happy Valley races at this class level and distance; Drops of God brings upside and clear talent but must transfer his Sha Tin form to Happy Valley, avoid getting drawn into a pace battle, and prove he can compete above Class 3.

Just Jake had a two-race winning streak end with a 10^th-place finish in a handicap at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on Oct. 22.

The loss was not a surprise. Just Jake was racing against a better class of runners, was a 16-1 outsider, and had trouble in the final furlong.

A 5-year-old gelding, Just Jake faces a slightly easier field in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Bendigo Racecourse on Wednesday. This race does not have a strong of a field.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, November 10, 2021)

There’s no reason to speculate. Bitcoin Baby is an Australian filly with ample ability.

A debut winner against Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds in May, Bitcoin Baby has not raced since a fifth-place finish in a well-regarded six-furlong handicap in June.

Bitcoin Baby’s layoff ends in another six-furlong handicap for fillies and mares at Gosford Park on Tuesday, her first start outside of her age group.

Tudor Prince was a game second at 20-1 in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Queanbeyan Racecourse in Australia on Oct. 21 in his first start in 13 months.

A 6-year-old gelding, Tudor Prince closed from last of nine to miss by three-quarters of a length in a fine effort for a comeback.

A little more than two weeks later, Tudor Prince on Monday will start against a slightly easier field in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Queanbeyan Racecourse.

Paul Lally:

R1 11-9-5-4

R2 8-14-2-6

R3 3-1-7-10

R4 2-8-7-1

R5 2-9-7-3

R6 2-7-4-5

R7 3-7-4-1

R8 1-6-9-10

R9 1-2-10-7

R10 1-13-11-3

Best Bet R6 N2 Trillion Win

Longshot R2 N8 Dr Winning

Play R2 QQp 2 -8-14

Mark McNamara:

R1 – 11.4.7.9

R2- 9.2.14.4

R3 – 14.1.7.8

R4 – 8.2.1.3

R5 – 8.7.2.1

R6 – 2.4.7.5

R7 – 7.3.4.1

R8 – 1.9.2.6

R9 – 1.3.2.7

R10 – 1.3.5.4

The last two Hong Kong racing seasons, Glorious Dragon started his campaign with a chilly performance but came out breathing fire second time out. If the pattern holds, he should race competitively Sunday at Sha Tin in the Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies Purse Handicap.

The Ararat Cup in Australia on Sunday may be a showdown between recent cup race winners Orleans Rock and Seewhatyouthink.

A 6-year-old gelding, Orleans Rock won for the first time in 10 starts, since April 2020, in the Horsham Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Horsham Racecourse on Oct. 17. Sent off as the 11-10 favorite, Orleans Rock closed from seventh in a field of eight to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

During the losing streak, Orleans Rock often raced in tougher company at leading venues in Melbourne. The Ararat Cup is not that sort of race.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, November 07, 2021)