Luke Middlebrook's Bio

Luke has been a devout follower and form student of horse racing in Hong Kong and Singapore for over 10 years, during which time he became renowned as a leading analyst for Asian racing through various social media channels. In June 2016, Luke moved to Singapore to join the iRace Media as Chief Editor for the English edition, where he oversees all form-related and editorial content for horse racing in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Kranji Racecourse – Track Analysis (Kranji Mile Day):

Kranji Racecourse features two distinguished left-hand turns – the Short Course and the Long Course. For the Long Course, the track is at its truest, with all gallopers getting their chance of success given that there is a 500m final sprint to salute the judge.

Eight races of the Kranji Mile Day, which are set solely on the Long Course on turf track, distances range from 1200m to 1800m, will be simulcast to Hong Kong.

For the featured 1600m Kranji Mile, there’s an 800m backstretch run before hitting the turn. Competitors will have adequate ground to either drop towards the rail or find cover, depending on their usual racing pattern. However, to suggest being drawn out wide is a disadvantage may not be a plausible excuse, given the ample ground there is to take up a position in the early stages.

There are four races run over 1200m, including two Class 4 Handicap, the Kranji Stakes A and the Novice. The Riders will have lesser ground to find a conducive position in running, with only about 400m - at best - before the turn presents itself. It puts those drawn wide in a potentially precarious position. For the Class 3 Handicap and Class 4 Handicap over 1400m, riders have about 600m of the same section before the turn, drawn wide isn’t necessarily a disadvantage with some early intent. While for the 1800m Class 3 Handicap, a whole 1000m straight presents itself before a turn; ample opportunity to find a position in running before the race heats up.

A full field of 16 went to post in last year’s Kranji Mile. The going was officially rated as good. LIM’S LIGHTNING did do the donkey work on-pace and it was a faster than average run race, favouring those back in the field. While those on the lead or close it faded in the straight, LIM’S LIGHTNING kept on kicking, only collared in the shadows of the post by a fast-finishing MINISTER, who came from 10th at the 400m marker won the race – every horse had its chance if good enough.

With the Kranji Mile Day runs during May, which is Singapore’s inter-monsoon period, as it brings in the Southwest Monsoon season, the weather can be unpredictable. Thunderstorms, at times severe, occur in the afternoon and early evening, while hot afternoons are common. Should heavy rain arrive, a quick downgrade to a yielding track can be expected, and as such, don’t be surprised to see riders avoid the inside rails and to make use of the better ground out wider.

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