Salon S stamps himself as a serious talent –  three-year-old now three-from-three as Lor and Poon land trebles

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen and jockey Matthew Poon Ming-fai closed the meeting in style when progressive three-year-old Salon S powered away to win the finale, capping a day in which both landed three winners.

Lor admitted he had a brief moment of worry when Salon S tore through the middle stages of the 1400m, the youngster rolling along at a pace that even stacked up against the day’s benchmark performance.

“For me he looked a little too keen,” Lor said. “He’d had nearly two months with no racing… he’s still very strong, very keen. So when I saw him at the home turn, I thought maybe he was going quite fast.”

Those fears were understandable. Salon S ripped through the first 600m in 35.01s, around a quarter of a second quicker than Ka Ying Rising covered the same section on his way to smashing the track record (1:19.36s) three races earlier.

Salon S couldn’t quite live in that rare air late – a reminder of the gap between good horses and all-time greats – finishing his final two 400m sections in 23.21s and 22.50s, and stopping the clock 1.36s outside the newly-minted record. But it was still fast enough, and decisive enough, to stamp him as a serious talent.

The gelding had already won twice in restricted three-year-old company, yet handled the rise into Class 3 with authority, pulling clear to score by two and a half lengths as a well supported 1.6 favorite – a result that should earn him a ratings rise that will have him near the top of Class 3 next time out.

With Salon S emerging as a fresh force, Lor suggested he won’t rush the three-year-old’s plans this season. 

“I don’t want to push him too hard,” he said. “Maybe another one and a half months before we see him again.” 

The win was Lor’s third on the card after earlier successes with Embrace Aberdeen and Smart Golf, the latter a horse Lor said had previously caused rider Harry Bentley some preboems previously.

“After his first win he did a U-turn after the line and dropped Harry Bentley,” Lor said. “This time he was a lot better.” 

Lor also addressed the positive swab to a local anesthetic involving Hong Kong Classic Cup entrant Stormy Grove, saying it traced back to accidental contamination.

“In the morning my head lad put some hand cream on,” Lor said. “I have already told the staff – we must always put gloves on. I don’t want to take any risks.”