It was the biggest win by a PP on debut in Hong Kong in at least 20 years, but history suggests Solid State will have a tough time backing up his explosive Sha Tin victory on Saturday.
The former Australian galloper made an emphatic statement in his first start for Frankie Lor Fu-chuen, making all to beat the in-form Superb Spirit by five and a quarter lengths in a Class Three sprint.
While Lor had high hopes for a strong Hong Kong debut after Solid State won two of his three lead-up trials, the dominant winning margin – the second biggest of the season, only behind Blazing Wind’s dirt triumph – was completely unexpected.
“My big concern was he hadn’t won in Australia, but in Hong Kong the horse was training well and trialled well. I thought he would run well but I didn’t think he would win by more than five lengths,” Lor said.
Solid State arrived in Hong Kong with far less expectations than those placed on him in Australia, where he was an expensive yearling buy at A$1.75 million (HK$9.51 million) for global breeding giant Coolmore Stud.
