Keagan de Melo celebrated his first Hong Kong Group win when $26 outsider Copartner Prance led them a merry dance in the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday evening.

The South African has not hit any great heights this season and his success aboard Francis Lui Kin-wai’s Copartner Prance, who also landed a Group-race breakthrough, was a much-needed tonic.

Copartner Prance sat on the shoulder of Victor The Winner for the first part of the race, but De Melo took the outright lead at the 1,000m peg and, on a day when front runners were tough to rein in, it was a decisive move.

A host of challengers came to try and steal the prize in the straight, but De Melo remained all action and drove his mount home to beat Happy Together by a head.

It was a 1-3-4 for the Lui stable, with $2.9 favourite Packing Hermod and Patch Of Theta chasing their stablemate in vain, but the day ultimately belonged to a grateful De Melo.

“It’s a real honour to be in this position and thanks to Francis and his team. The horse’s turned out phenomenally and I think he got the right fractions,” said the jockey.

“We all know the numbers don’t lie and I don’t get many opportunities but thanks to all the trainers that do support me – I really do appreciate it.”

It was a third Group-race win of the season for Lui, who also tasted Hong Kong Derby success with Cap Ferrat in March.

And the 66-year-old, now on 47 winners for the campaign, was full of praise for both De Melo and his willing partner.

“I think the jockey controlled the pace really well. It’s the main thing for him to win this race,” said Lui.

“Before we always thought that 1,400m will maybe suit him, but we tried once and he was just too keen. Maybe at the end of the season, he’s more relaxed. I’m very happy to get more and more winners.”

Elsewhere on the card, the Eustace family’s good week continued when the David Eustace-trained Mister Dapper rallied gamely after a prominent run to deny $3.4 favourite Fortune Boy in the Class Four Topaz Handicap (1,600m).

David’s brother Harry enjoyed a remarkable Royal Ascot, training two Group One winners in the form of globetrotter Docklands and Time For Sandals, and David made sure to add a winner of his own after spending the early part of the week celebrating in the United Kingdom.