Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is now just three victories away from equalling John Size’s record for the most wins by a first-season trainer and Solomon’s Bay can help him smash through that mark.
With 55 winners to his credit and 12 meetings left, it is only a question of when, not if, Lor reaches the milestone and what that new benchmark will be.
Solomon’s Bay is one horse who can contribute to the tally going off his impressive run at Sha Tin on Wednesday night.
The European import won three races in Great Britain, including the Listed Surrey Stakes (1,400m) at Epsom before moving countries.
Having his first run for over seven months, the four-year-old certainly got a visitor’s welcome for his Hong Kong debut in the Class Three Cafeteria Handicap (1,200m), carrying the top weight of 133 pounds on the all-weather track.
Joao Moreira pushes his premiership lead back to two as Infinity Endeavour wins in a wild finish to the sixth race #HKracing pic.twitter.com/kRaWN6AHML
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 30, 2018
Jockey Karis Teetan couldn’t slot in midfield from barrier seven, so he was trapped three and four-wide throughout.
Despite covering plenty of extra ground, Solomon’s Bay was up for the fight, running home strongly to finish third, just a half-length behind the winner Infinity Endeavour.
The final sectional also tells a tale as the gelding ran his last 400m in 22.39 seconds. It was the third fastest time of the meeting, only behind Infinity Endeavour and noted closer Goldie Flanker in the following event.
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He is only going to improve both in terms of fitness and experience, while Lor has plenty of options in that he has shown he can race at either 1,200m or 1,400m on either surface.
The problem is Wednesday night’s race was an extended ratings band (85-60) Class Three and he has been rehandicapped to 86 after his third placing, meaning his next run will be in Class Two.
While Solomon’s Bay will get some weight relief in that grade, it will be a challenge, but one he looks up to.
Glorious Artist and @zpurton took the last of the night at Sha Tin where four jockeys each landed a double #HKracing pic.twitter.com/AD52xvpRiP
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 30, 2018
Speaking of extended ratings band Class Threes, Lor will target the one remaining contest with Glorious Artist on July 1.
That 1,650m event on the all-weather track gives the four-year-old the chance to go land a hat-trick after a strong performance over the course and distance on Wednesday night.
Glorious Artist has made an impressive start to his Hong Kong career with two wins and a third from four starts and Lor thinks he still has room for improvement.
