African Skyline to earn first win on turf

African Skyline’s hopes of winning his first race on turf were washed away by the weather last week but Garth Puller’s charge will have a second opportunity at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

He lines up in Race 6, a MR 102 Handicap over 1200m.

The race African Skyline was expected to win has been upgraded so he will be facing tougher opposition, in particular, grey gelding After The Rain.

After The Rain has won four out of his five races at the course but he is coming back from a rest and will have to give African Skyline 6.5kg.

Aqua Bolt, who has beaten After The Rain at Hollywoodbets Greyville, is also in the hunt but he was beaten 1.55 lengths by African Skyline at this venue last time and is now 2.5kg worse off.

It has all the marks of a brilliant race that should not be missed. With African Skyline carrying 53kg versus After The Rain, who will be returning from a rest, with 59.5kg, the odds undoubtedly favour the former.

Addabar was also expected to make a bold bid in his race before the meeting was washed out and this time favourite Super Fast has fallen away.

But he too will come up against some useful opposition in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1200m. Cotton Ron, Wylie Riley and eye-catching Reach Forthe Stars have claims, but Addabar looks to have more scope over this course and distance.

This gelding is half-brother to Under Your Spell who won the Grade 1 Alan Robertson over this track and trip as a juvenile. She has gone on to a Grade 2 KZN Fillies Guineas win as well.

Addabar jumped at odds of 40-1 on debut and was slowly out but he recovered and then kicked on nicely when asked the question.

Warrior Of Royalty should be hard to beat in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, if his debut performance is anything to go by. Follow the betting moves in that one, if the first-timers are not strongly fancied, he could start the meeting off with a bang.

And finally African Skyline’s half-brother, African Dusk, appears well placed in Race 4, a MR 66 Handicap over 1600m. Interestingly, unlike his brother he seems better suited to a bit further and he will be looking to repeat over this distance. It could be a good day for the family and for veteran Garth Puller who trains both.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Warrior Of Royalty, 5 Ermelo, 14 Riverstone, 12 Future Flo

Race 2: 4 Addabar, 11 Reach Forthe Stars, 1 Cotton Ron, 12 Benni In The Area

Race 3: 1 Sleek As Silk, 6 Jazz Festival, 3 Thunder Masala, 8 The Bayou

Race 4: 4 African Dusk, 6 Walton Hall, 7 Devils And Dust, 8 Brave Voyager

Race 5: 2 Sea Goddess, 4 Escapologist, 12 Mel's Princess, 9 Sing For Winter

Race 6: 9 African Skyline, 2 After The Rain, 6 Aqua Bolt, 10 Sikhulu

Race 7: 6 Quest For The Best, 7 Tribute To You, 9 Northern Warrior, 3 Roy's July Magic

Race 8: 12 Royal Oasis, 3 Harley's Fate, 4 Morgan La Fay, 6 Shipholia

BEST BET

Race 4 No 4 African Dusk

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 12 Royal Oasis

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 4x11

BIPOT

R72

Leg 1: 5, 7

Leg 2: 4, 11

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6

Leg 4: 4

Leg 5: 2, 4, 12

Leg 6: 2, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 4, 11

Leg 2: 1, 3, 6

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 2, 4

Leg 5: 2, 9

Leg 6: 6, 7, 9

Leg 7: 3, 4, 12

PICK 6

R540

Leg 1: 1, 3, 6

Leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 2, 4, 12

Leg 4: 2, 6, 9

Leg 5: 3, 6, 7, 9, 11

Leg 6: 3, 4, 6, 12

JACKPOT 1

R45

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 2, 4, 12

Leg 3: 2, 6, 9

Leg 4: 3, 6, 7, 9, 11

JACKPOT 2

R180

Leg 1: 2, 4, 12

Leg 2: 2, 6, 9

Leg 3: 3, 6, 7, 9, 11

Leg 4: 3, 4, 6, 12