A winner with Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s first runner provided the feel good ending to Joao Moreira’s remarkable run of five straight victories to start the day and it seemed everyone was in on the celebration.

Lor has become a popular figure through his 14-year career as a jockey and long-term associations with leading trainers John Moore and John Size.

After maiden Yourthewonforme snapped a 32-race losing sequence, Lor was swamped by local media and even joined in the winning photo by his former boss Size.

Moreira has built a rapport with Lor as well and was able to provide some comforting words just before the trainer’s first runner stepped out as 2.5 favourite.

“Before the race I could feel he was nervous and I just said, ‘Frankie if it is meant to be it will be, you’ve done the work, now just enjoy the moment’. I’m delighted I was able to get the win for Frankie, he is a really nice guy,” Moreira said.

“I have worked closely with Frankie over the past four seasons and I am so glad I could be part of his first winner. It’s great to get him off to a good start and I’m sure he will be a success.”

High five: Joao Moreira shows his brilliance with a stunning start to the new Hong Kong season

Despite the excitement generated by the debut win, the 51-year-old rookie wasn’t getting carried away.

“I’m very pleased with this start but I’m still looking for more winners,” he said. “I have 55 horses in the stable now, so I have a lot of thanks for the owners for giving me such good support. That has given me some confidence, but also I have confidence in my team – they have worked very hard in the off-season.”

Even though Yourthewonforme’s overall form was terrible, the gelding was showing glimpses at the end of last term for former trainer Gary Ng Ting-keung.

It was a switch back to 1,200m first-up that brought about the result on Sunday but Lor indicated a step back up in trip was now likely.

‘Sorry boss, I couldn’t say no’: Frankie Lor starts season with near capacity stable

“I saw last season that this horse ran second a few times at 1,400 metres so this time I put him at 1,200 to see if he could handle it, being a little bit fresh,” Lor said. “Halfway down the straight, I still wasn’t sure, but Joao got the momentum going. I think he will be better back at 1400.”

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