Frankie Lor Fu-chuen has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to his four-year-olds this campaign and Solid State is the first of his potential Classic Series contenders to get their season rolling at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Snitzel galloper failed to win in seven Australian starts when owned by the Coolmore powerhouse, but he had shown plenty of ability when finishing fourth in the Group Three Pago Pago Stakes (1,200m) and sixth in the Group Two Spirit of Boom Classic (1,200m).

That translated to a winning Hong Kong debut for Lor, where he strode five lengths clear turning the bend for home and, despite it looking unlikely, kept up that relentless gallop to beat a smart field that included fellow Classic Series hopeful Superb Spirit.

It was a performance that dazzled plenty and saw the handicapper slap him with a 12lb rise, with a rating of 78 almost guaranteeing him a berth in the Classic Mile should connections choose that route.

Perhaps surprisingly, Lor has opted to drop Solid State back to 1,000m for his return, with his jockey Alexis Badel proving pivotal to the decision to run him in Sunday’s Class Three Wah Fu Handicap.

“He looks good after the summer - everything with him is fine. This time I’m bringing him back to 1,000m, because I talked to Alexis about the horse after he won a 1,000m trial and he thought it would be better for him as we need to carry a big weight,” Lor said.

“A lot depends on how he settles and relaxes [for his ultimate target] - after Sunday, we will learn a lot more about him and where we can go.”

Another of Lor’s big Classic Series contenders is Salon S, a tearaway front-runner who blitzed his way to four wins from five starts last campaign, with his winning sequence only snapped when fourth in a competitive Class Two at the end of the campaign.

“We should see Salon S again next Sunday,” Lor said. “I think he has calmed over the summer - I tried to put the tongue tie on to get him a bit more relaxed. He looks a bit better with the tongue tie on.

“I think 1,600m [for the Classic Mile] will be OK for him - I’m not sure about anything further, because it depends if he gets more relaxed. If he does, then maybe it will be fine.”

Lor rolls into Sha Tin on Sunday with a team of eight as he looks to get his campaign off the ground.

Run Run Smart, a three-time winner last campaign, bids to get back to winning ways in the Class Three Yiu Tung Handicap (1,400m) and fellow front-runner Enjoy Golf is another with strong claims in the second section of the Class Four Lok Wah Handicap (1,200m).

“Run Run Smart’s trials and morning work have been good, we’ve put Nichola [Yuen Hang-yiu] on board to take off 10lb which will help. He has a good chance,” Lor said.

“Enjoy Golf is another good ride for the apprentices, because he jumps fast and likes to lead by himself. His form is good and Britney [Wong Po-ni] takes off 7lb which will give him a boost.”

Last-start second Looking Bright, Winning Now, Better And Better, Lucky Balerion and Savvy Brilliant round off Lor’s Sunday squad.