THERE was plenty to like about Fukien Boy's Hongkong debut run last Saturday, when running on nicely for fourth spot behind the strongly fancied Heavily Armed.
Coming from well off the pace he boxed on nicely along the inside rail for a very pleasing initial run and had the look of one to note for the future.
Trained by Ivan Allen, he has wasted no time in running the promising young Irish three-year-old again and significantly Basil Marcus looks to have elected him ahead of Allen's other runner in the race Sterling Town.
Significantly because Marcus won on Sterling Town over course and distance two weeks ago.
Fukien Boy raced under the name of John Peel prior to coming here from Ireland and came to these shores as a useful sort who showed much improved form at his final two starts in the Emerald Isle.
In his penultimate start over there he was produced inside the final furlong for a neck win over subsequent winner Dark Reef in a 10-runner Fairyhouse maiden over 1,200 metres.