Exciting four-year-old Bulb General continued to stamp his Classic Series credentials after notching an electrifying third consecutive victory at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Sent off the raging $1.5 favourite in the Class Three Tung Lung Chau Handicap (1,200m), the Jamie Richards-trained gelding made light work of gate 12 when storming home under Zac Purton to bolt in by two and three-quarter lengths.

Despite being labelled “a shocking mover” by Purton and lazy trackworker by Richards, Bulb General continues to produce the goods on race day as he marches towards the four-year-old series this season.

“He’s a tough horse because he’s a shocking mover. In the mornings, he feels the ground. He doesn’t trial well on the dirt because he’s not comfortable on it but he’s turning up race day, which is what matters,” Purton said.

“He had a pretty poor gate. I was hoping to get into a nice spot, he moved into it and did the job nicely – it didn’t feel like he was getting away from them the way that he did, so that was good sign.

“He goes up in grade again and hopefully he can continue the path that he’s on.”

Richards plans to step Bulb General up in distance in the near future with a view to features such as the Classic Mile, Classic Cup (1,800m) and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).

“He’s not much of a morning trackworker and he does give you a few worries, but he’s saddled up beautifully and he paraded well – he had a bit of pep in his step today, so I think he saves his best for the race day and he looks like he’s really talented,” Richards said.

“We’ve got some nice targets for him if he keeps progressing. He doesn’t overtax himself and I think most of the better ones are a little bit like that, so we’ve got plenty to look forward to.

“The plan would be to step him up [in trip] at some stage. The Classic Series would be the plan – we’ve got a long way to go but he’s progressing well and he’s winning with a bit of authority, so hopefully he can keep cracking on.”

Man’s milestone

Manfred Man Ka-leung celebrated his 700th winner as a trainer on Saturday when Ruby Sailing led and hung on late to score a thrilling victory in the Class Four South Bay Handicap (1,200m).

Sent to the front by apprentice Britney Wong Po-ni, Ruby Sailing prevailed in a close three-way photo finish, beating the heavily backed Rezeki by a short head. California Blitz was close behind in third.

A champion Hong Kong apprentice during his seven years as a jockey, Man has been training gallopers since 2001, achieving Group One success with Eagle Regiment and current stable star Lucky Sweynesse.

“I feel happy of course, because this horse finds it difficult to win after two operations on his throat,” Man said of his milestone and Ruby Sailing’s success.

Man is yet to decide whether Lucky Sweynesse will tackle the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) on October 26 or be held back for November’s Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m) after his recent defeat in Japan.

The four-time Group One winner is back in Hong Kong completing the mandatory stint in quarantine after running 11th in the Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama on September 28.

“Everything’s fine. At this moment he’s in quarantine and then we’ll see how he goes when he’s back in the stables,” Man said.

“The target is November and December [Hong Kong Sprint]. Let’s see [about the Premier Bowl]. Maybe he needs a little bit longer.”

Mo’s Mighty ride

Low profile jockey Dylan Mo Hin-tung booted home his first winner in six months when he lifted $56.15 roughie Mighty Strength in the Class Three Nam Long Shan Handicap (1,800m).

Mo, whose last win was on Winning Wing at Sha Tin in April, struck on his fifth ride of the season when Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s Mighty Strength beat the $2.5 favourite Gentlemen Legacy by three-quarters of a length.

It was a top ride by Mo, who settled Mighty Strength one-off just forward of midfield from gate nine before pouncing in the straight.

“First, I must thank the trainer and the owners for their support,” Mo said. “I continue to work hard to get opportunities and ride my horses the best I can.”

Mighty Strength helped Yiu clinch a double after Etalon Or broke through for his first triumph at start 14 in the second section of the Class Four Pak Tam Au Handicap (1,400m).