 Expert - 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. | |
Expert Column for Kranji Mile Day (S1) (Luke Middlebrook)
S1-1 Singapore Guineas
The formidable Lim’s Stable has a strong chance to secure victory in this race, with the promising 3YO LIM’S BIGHORN aiming for back-to-back wins in the 3YO series. Despite being drawn out wide in the second leg over 1,400m, LIM’S BIGHORN surged straight to the front and never allowed his rivals a chance as he won convincingly. His untapped potential positions him well to continue his winning streak.
Trained by Steven Burridge, BAKEEL gives the impression that he will relish the mile as he tackles the distance for the first time in his career. The SIOUX NATION gelding boasts two wins and three placings from seven starts and has looked progressive. With a sharp burst of speed, he promises to be one to watch out for in the closing stages of the race.
ACE OF DIAMONDS, trained by Ricardo Le Grange, emerged victorious in the first leg of the 3YO series but settled for third place in the second leg, delivering a meritorious performance nonetheless. This promising youngster is set to tackle the mile for the first time in his career, a distance that could suit his abilities well. With an impressive record of four wins and as many placings from 10 attempts, ACE OF DIAMONDS shows great potential.
STRIKE GOLD looked unlucky in the second leg of the 3YO series, where he was held up for some time in the straight. Once clear, he managed to pick up fourth place, beaten 3.4 lengths. Prior, he was an eye-catcher late into fifth in the first leg. He’s one to watch for improvement here, as he should secure the gun run from the inside alley.
LIM’S SMYTHE, the other entrant from the Lim’s Stable, notably secured a victory at this track and distance two starts ago in Class 4 company. In the recent second leg of the 3YO series, he caught the eye with strong finish to check in seventh, having been ridden conservatively in the early stages. Considering his previous success and potential, it wouldn’t be unexpected to see him perform well at longer odds in this race.
SELECTIONS: 2. LIM’S BIGHORN, 3. BAKEEL, 1. ACE OF DIAMONDS, 5. STRIKE GOLD & 6. LIM’S SMYTHE
1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 2. LIM’S BIGHORN & 3. BAKEEL
S1-2: Multiple – 1. GREATHAM BOY & 4. STOP THE WATER
S1-2 Class 4 Handicap
3YO GREATHAM BOY won’t contest the Singapore Guineas but will be better suited back in distance here, where he can bounce back for a win. He wasn’t disgraced in the second leg of the 3YO series over 1,400m, only fading late into fifth position. Having won a trial smartly in between runs, he looks like the one to beat.
Progressive 3YO STOP THE WATER can follow up on his latest win, which was his second success in six starts. He was ultra-impressive last time, overcoming barrier 13 as he surged to the lead and led throughout the run.
Chasing a hat-trick of wins is 3YO RUBIK KID. With two wins and five placings in nine starts so far, this race presents his acid test as he contests Class 4 for the first time. However, his last two victories were achieved with decisive margins.
PACIFIC ATLANTIC is relatively new to racing in Singapore and showed promise two starts ago with a close-up third to STOP THE WATER. However, in his last start, he faced challenges from barrier 12 and raced wide throughout. Despite this, he was only beaten by 2.2 lengths, finishing in seventh position. He can improve on that here.
3YO WAR STAR remains unplaced from three tries on turf, but his consistency should stand him in good stead. In a polytrack race of similar competitiveness four starts ago, he won easily by close to three lengths. Perhaps he will be able to improve on his turf stats here this week.
SELECTIONS: 1. GREATHAM BOY, 4. STOP THE WATER, 8. RUBIK KID, 6. PACIFIC ATLANTIC & 2. WAR STAR
2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 1. GREATHAM BOY & 4. STOP THE WATER
S1-3: Multiple – 4. NIMBUS CLOUD & 1. PACIFIC BAO BEI
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:
Banker – 1. GREATHAM BOY
Selections – 4. STOP THE WATER, 8. RUBIK KID, 6. PACIFIC ATLANTIC & 2. WAR STAR
S1-3:
Banker – 4. NIMBUS CLOUD
Selections – 1. PACIFIC BAO BEI, 3. AVALANCHE, 2. GREEN STAR & 9. SUPREME LINER
S1-3 Class 4 Handicap
4YO NIMBUS CLOUD draws attention as he races fourth-up after an eight-month layoff. While not typically a sprinter, this Irish-bred has been entered in three 1,200m races this year. However, his previous best performances have primarily been over longer distances, suggesting that he will likely thrive with the extra trip this week.
Top weight PACIFIC BAO BEI is consistently a strong contender in Class 4 races, with two wins and six placings from 10 attempts. In his last race, his chances were dashed when he was taken back early, leaving him with too much ground to make up. Nevertheless, he charged home late and finished second. His chances of winning will improve if he can settle handier here.
4YO gelding AVALANCHE has been showing improvement with each race this year. This week marks his first attempt over the mile, but his racing style suggests that he will handle the distance well. He returns to the race after over one month break between runs and turned in a promising trial during this period.
Evergreen galloper GREEN STAR is hard to ignore given his current form. The 10YO gelding returned to form last start, leading for most of the race over this distance on the polytrack but was narrowly collared late, finishing second by a half-length. A repeat of that performance should bode well for him here.
Lightly-raced SUPREME LINER is still a maiden after six starts but has only finished outside of the placings on two occasions. With the advantage of a light weight and considering his consistency, the 3YO must be regarded as a genuine each-way chance here.
SELECTIONS: 4. NIMBUS CLOUD, 1. PACIFIC BAO BEI, 3. AVALANCHE, 2. GREEN STAR & 9. SUPREME LINER
3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-3: Multiple – 4. NIMBUS CLOUD & 1. PACIFIC BAO BEI
S1-4: Multiple – 4. RAVALLI & 3. HOLE IN ONE
S1-4 Novice
Newcomer RAVALLI should prove hard to beat on debut in Singapore. The former Australian-raced 3YO brings with him some decent form, which appears stronger than this week’s assignment on paper. He has caught the eye in his trials and is expected to secure a few wins before the end of the season.
4YO HOLE IN ONE hasn't won a race since November 2022, but he resumed with a promising run into third position in his last start. Since then, he has turned in a handy-looking trial and appears to have come back in good form this preparation. This race certainly looks like the type where he can measure up.
BABY TWINS surprisingly won once out of 16 attempts in Singapore, but recent runs suggest he could soon break his maiden status. In six runs this year, he has secured two second-place finishes while competing in some decent Class 4 races, which, on paper, appear promising for a race like this.
3YO SANTINO has had only four starts, resulting in one win and two third placings. His break through success came two starts ago when he was produced first-up off a lengthy spell, and he backed it up with a slashing third. He is open to improvement and should be running another honest race here.
2YO gelding CHEVAL PEGASUS is having his second career start here, following a promising first-up performance where he made up good ground late from the middle of the pack, finishing 2.4 lengths into fourth. Trained by leading trainer Jason Ong, he is poised for potential improvement second-up
SELECTIONS: 4. RAVALLI, 3. HOLE IN ONE, 2. BABY TWINS, 6. SANTINO & 8. CHEVAL PEGASUS
4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 4. RAVALLI & 3. HOLE IN ONE
S1-5: Multiple – 1. LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO & 2. GOLDEN MONKEY
S1-5 Kranji Mile
Singapore’s champion galloper, LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO, won this race impressively last year and is back to defend his crown. Since finishing ninth to Hong Kong champion GOLDEN SIXTY in December’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO has won two races leading into this weekend’s feature event. Both races were run under handicap conditions, with ‘Kosi’ up against it lumping top weight, but his class proved too good. At set weights here, he would have to severely underperform to be beaten.
5YO GOLDEN MONKEY is yet to beat LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO in a race but has finished close up in the placings on numerous occasions, including a last-start third the last time they raced. Fly-in jockey Chad Schofield seems to get the best out of GOLDEN MONKEY, and they will be doing their best work late, hoping that ‘Kosi’ has an off day.
Promising 5YO CAVALRY secured his second local win last start, marking his second race back from an enforced layoff. There has always been a bit of hype surrounding this gelding, and given good health, he gives the impression that he has more to offer in the remaining months of racing in Singapore.
Stablemate to GOLDEN MONKEY, 5YO DREAM ALLIANCE checks plenty of boxes fourth-up as top Australian jockey Mark Zahra flies in for the ride. He will appreciate the race being run at a true tempo, and any rain would only enhance his chances.
Starting from a wide barrier last time out, 5YO INVINCIBLE TYCOON was ridden patiently at the back. Nevertheless, he caught the eye with a late surge to finish fifth, just three lengths behind LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO. Although he hasn't won this preparation, he delivers encouraging performances and appears primed for his fifth-up.
SELECTIONS: 1. LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO, 2. GOLDEN MONKEY, 8. CAVALRY, 7. DREAM ALLIANCE & 4. INVINCIBLE TYCOON
5th DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 1. LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO & 2. GOLDEN MONKEY
S1-6: Multiple – 3. PACIFIC VAMPIRE & 2. MAXIMA
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:
Banker – 1. LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO
Selections – 2. GOLDEN MONKEY, 8. CAVALRY, 7. DREAM ALLIANCE & 4. INVINCIBLE TYCOON
S1-6:
Banker – 3. PACIFIC VAMPIRE
Selections – 2. MAXIMA, 4. ANIKI, 1. GOLD STAR & 8. FLYING NEMO
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 1. LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO, 2. GOLDEN MONKEY & 8. CAVALRY
S1-6: Multiple – 3. PACIFIC VAMPIRE, 2. MAXIMA & 4. ANIKI
S1-7: Multiple – 6. PACIFIC GOLD, 1. KING ZOUSTAR & 2. SHANGHAI STAR
S1-6 Class 3 Handicap
Leading trainer Jason Ong will be banking on his promising 4YO, PACIFIC VAMPIRE, to extend his unbeaten streak locally and secure a winning hat-trick in this race. The Australian import has been incredibly impressive, winning his first two starts since debuting earlier this year. In both races, he displayed exceptional gate speed. In his most recent outing, despite starting from barrier 12, PACIFIC VAMPIRE effortlessly made all to claim victory by 3.5 lengths over 1,200m.
Former Hong Kong galloper MAXIMA is set to return to the racetrack after his disappointing 10th-place finish in last November’s local G1 Singapore Gold Cup. Before that race, MAXIMA had shown outstanding form, winning three out of four races. His race fitness remains a question mark for his first-up appearance, but he displayed sharpness in his trials leading up to his return.
Another fast beginner, but probably lacking the gate speed to match PACIFIC VAMPIRE, 4YO ANIKI stands a strong chance to improve on his last-start eighth over 1,600m. He will be better suited back at this distance, given his prior good form.
Top weight GOLD STAR thrives around the track and distance, boasting five wins and as many placings from 21 attempts. This marks his second run back in Class 3, where he is more than capable of contending for a place in the money.
Pocket rocket FLYING NEMO hasn’t had much luck from wide draws in his last two starts, but his form is better than that. He comes into a better barrier position, which could spark improvement. He enters this race having trialled well in between runs.
SELECTIONS: 3. PACIFIC VAMPIRE, 2. MAXIMA, 4. ANIKI, 1. GOLD STAR & 8. FLYING NEMO
6th DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 3. PACIFIC VAMPIRE & 2. MAXIMA
S1-7: Multiple – 6. PACIFIC GOLD & 1. KING ZOUSTAR
S1-7 Class 4 Handicap
PACIFIC GOLD is a runner who can certainly improve on his two most recent outings. Since winning his first local race three starts ago, he has been up against it from wide barrier draws. In his most recent race, he raced wide and without cover throughout but was only beaten by around 1.5 lengths, finishing in fifth position. He comes into barrier 1 here, which should provide him an excellent opportunity to atone.
KING ZOUSTAR has not won a race for 11 months but has been in great form this year by securing minor placings in five of his six recent starts. The 8YO switches to turf for the first time since October last year, which shouldn’t pose a problem as he is a three-time winner and four-time place getter over the course and distance from 14 attempts. By virtue of his consistency, he gets his chance to bounce back for a win.
6YO SHANGHAI STAR enters this race second-up off a lengthy break, while his first-up run is one to overlook. He raced wide on that occasion while the rider was also at a disadvantage as the saddle slipped. He is one runner whose past form will hold him in good stead to be competitive here.
One of the likely leaders in the race, DANCING SUPREMO, gets his chance to improve on his Class 4 record. The 5YO broke through for his first local win two starts ago when he entered Class 5 for the first time but subsequently found himself on-pace in a fast-run race. If afforded a soft time up front, he can put up a good showing.
Trainer Daniel Meagher’s recent acquisition CHOSEN does pique one’s interest first-up off a couple of quiet barrier trials, which is how the Australian handler likes to trial them. The Brazilian import in having his third start in Singapore, and may be open to further improvement here.
SELECTIONS: 6. PACIFIC GOLD, 1. KING ZOUSTAR, 2. SHANGHAI STAR, 7. DANCING SUPREMO & 5. CHOSEN
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
