The Sky Racing Nights of Glory carnival kicks off this Saturday night with plenty of fireworks expected in the $125,000 Ballarat Pacing Cup.

The action is likely to come from Melton trainer-driver Lance Justice, who can't stop talking about his star, Smoken Up.

Earlier this month the pacer scored an unbelievable victory in the South Australian Pacing Cup and has since thrilled Justice in the lead-up to Saturday's race, and subsequently the BIG6 Hunter Cup next week.

The draw for Saturday night's race should result in some interesting tactics.

Smoken Up will start from barrier six but rising star Villagem will start inside him in five.

Villagem has been dogged by a string of back row draws including last weekend's Shepparton Cup.

On that occasion, Villagem was totally out of play, being near the rear of the field and reeling off a sizzling 54.0 second last half. Despite that, he still finished seventh as those back in the field had no hope with the slow speed up front.

Villagem's trainer-driver Lisa Miles says the horse has good gate speed but she's never really asked him to go out hard early and is probably reluctant to do that this Saturday.

Another of the main threats in the Ballarat Pacing Cup is Kiwi pacer Stunin Cullen.

Tim and Anthony Butt have travelled many good horses to Australia in the past but they believe Stunin Cullen is the best.

Trainer Tim Butt told me on Sky Sports Radio that Stunin Cullen is a versatile pacer who has a devastating sprint or can do it tough from three-wide.

Stunin Cullen lost his best form in November but Butt feels two soft victories in New Zealand this month have the five-year-old ready to produce his best at Ballarat.

All in all, the Ballarat Pacing Cup is more than a pipe opener for Saturday week's $425,000 BIG6 Hunter Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton.

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In thoroughbred racing news this weekend, Mark Wallace will be chasing his biggest prize as a trainer at Ellerslie on Sunday.

Wallace will saddle up Miss Confidential in the 1600-metre Karaka Millions three- year-old feature.

Wallace says that while Miss Confidential has won her three races on provincial tracks in New South Wales, she certainly is a city-class filly.

On Sunday, jockey Hugh Bowman should be able to slot into a perfect position as the pair begin from barrier four.

Bowman, though, won't be the lone Australian jockey riding at Ellerslie.

Michael Rodd has key rides in the feature Karaka races while Lee Freedman has Chateauneuf Dupape in the Karaka Million for the two- year-olds.

Sky Racing will be showing all races from Ellerslie this Sunday.

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One of the quiet achievers in the Melbourne jockey ranks is Steven King, and on Saturday he'll be jumping aboard promising three-year-old, Almindoro in a low-key return to the track at Sandown.

While Almindoro may still be a maiden, his efforts during the Spring were encouraging for the future, particularly in the Norman Robinson when second to Retrieve.

Trainer Steve Richards told me this week Almindoro put on 30kgs while spelling but has tightened up nicely, thanks largely to a jump out behind Crystal Lily. Another plus for Almindoro on Saturday will be the spacious Sandown track according to Richards.

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One of the in-form horses running at Sandown is Tears I Cry.

Warrnambool trainer Anne McGrath hopes the 1800 metres won't be a concern after Nathan Rose said the horse relaxed so well for his last start Flemington win.

Tears I Cry has won three races in a row and McGrath puts it down to an increase in work for the sprightly eight-year-old.