Sikhulu brings feature-race form into a Maiden Plate and that makes him the best bet on Sunday’s card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
The Wayne Badenhorst and Barbara Kennedy-trained runner finished third on debut, beaten 1.10 lengths by Crested Eagle, and the grey son of Capetown Noir followed that up with a 1.90-length third behind Kuuma in a feature race.
Crested Eagle was also in that race and finished second, 0.90 lengths ahead of Sikhulu, thus confirming the form of their earlier race.
Kuuma and Crested Eagle further boosted that form by finishing second and fourth respectively in the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes.
Sikhulu then went on to contest a valuable sales race where, despite a wide draw and ending up too far back, produced the second fastest 400m to finish to go down just 2.60 lengths to useful Bard Of Avon.
Now gelded, he returns to contest a Maiden Plate over 1200m in Race 3 in which he is at least 8.5kg better handicapped than any of his opposition.
He also has the services of Warren Kennedy.
Cape Star, who takes his place in Race 4, another Maiden Plate over 1200m, should make it a quick double for the favourites. This four-year-old was eye catching on debut and it is interesting to see such a well-bred individual racing in KwaZulu-Natal rather than the Western Cape where he is owned and was bred.
He has started his career late and was gelded a ear back so perhaps he has his issues and his connection may have preferred to start his career in a province with weaker horses. As far as his form line is concerned, he only found one better on debut in Lunarcam, who could be quite useful. Three and four lengths back respectively were subsequent winners Rainbow Spirit and Lord Varys, and that gives a further boost to Cape Star’s chances.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 4 Grey View, 10 Bugsy Malone, 7 Drogarati, 9 Gold Ensign
Race 2: 3 Grey Linngari, 6 National Flag, 5 Deputy Marshall, 1 Coral Copy
Race 3: 7 Sikhulu, 6 Running Rifles, 4 Cyber Time, 10 Colour Master
Race 4: 2 Cape Eagle, 3 One Shot Wonder, 5 Granddaddy Purple, 9 Pashtunwali
Race 5: 1 Ideal Act, 5 Allaroundtheworld, 10 Double Edge, 9 Tommy The Kidd
Race 6: 1 Retail Therapy, 7 Baby Africa, 5 Soiree, 6 Loving The Victory
Race 7: 10 Princekresh, 9 Light That Loose, 8 Captain Oupie, 1 Bwana
Race 8: 2 Victory Twist, 9 Love The View, 1 Hasta Manana, 3 Master Ofthe North
BEST BET
Race 3 No 7 Sikhulu
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 2 Victory Twist
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 3×6
BIPOT
R108
Leg 1: 4, 7, 10
Leg 2: 3, 6
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 2, 3
Leg 5: 1, 5, 10
Leg 6: 1, 5, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R144
Leg 1: 3, 6
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 1, 5, 10
Leg 5: 1, 5, 7
Leg 6: 9, 10
Leg 7: 1, 2, 3, 9
PICK 6
R1200
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 9
Leg 3: 1, 5, 9, 10
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 5: 8, 9, 10
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 9, 11
JACKPOT 1
R240
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 9
Leg 2: 1, 5, 9, 10
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 8, 9, 10
JACKPOT 2
R300
Leg 1: 1, 5, 9, 10
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 8, 9, 10
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 9, 11