Relief was the overwhelming emotion for Matthew Poon Ming-fai after he ended an exasperating drought of 141 rides with a breakthrough win at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Winless since booting home Keefy at Happy Valley on June 4, Poon finally got the monkey off his back when Gracious Express overcame barrier 14 to score a gutsy win in the Class Three Wo Che Handicap (1,400m).

“I’ve been looking for this win for quite a long time,” Poon said.

“I didn’t expect that today, so now I’ve got a winner, I hope more luck will come. In the coming meetings, hopefully it will be even better.”

Racing second up after a solid fifth at Happy Valley on October 8, the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Gracious Express ran on from midfield to defy his $28 quote with a half-length victory over Everyone’s Star.

“It was a little tricky,” Poon said of Gracious Express’ outside draw.

“I was hoping to get three deep with cover – I did but at the 600m I lost cover, so I just tried to give him time to breathe and keep his balance and he hit the line strong. Thanks to Ricky and the owners.”

Yiu said he kept his faith in Poon, supporting last season’s Tony Cruz Award winner throughout his long drought.

Poon and Yiu also teamed up with Voyage Bubble on Sunday, but the Triple Crown winner could only manage 12th behind My Wish in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m).

“He’s fine. He was top weight [with 135lb] and first up this season. He needed the run,” Yiu said.

Poon also confirmed he will ride Group One winner Invincible Sage in Sunday’s Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m).

All the way for Pejibaye

Four-year-old Pejibaye stamped himself as a horse to follow after a brilliant all-the-way victory on his stable debut for Caspar Fownes on Sunday.

Transferred after flashing potential in his four starts for Jamie Richards last term, Pejibaye was sent straight to the front by Fownes’ apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang and proceeded to demolish his rivals in the Class Four Lung Hang Handicap (1,200m).

“Jamie did a good job with the horse last season, he just needed a bit more time, so it’s unfortunate for him but lucky for me,” Fownes said after Pejibaye beat Emblazon by two and a quarter lengths.

“We had him well prepared for his first run and he got the job done, so it was nice.

“He’s still a little bit naughty – he can be a little bit troublesome in the gate. But he was good today and Ellis did a good job jumping him well and getting him on the lead and he did the rest, so it was a nice effort.

“Obviously he’s going to get a penalty for that, but he’ll stay in the class and hopefully he can keep improving.”

Crawford’s Show-stopper

Brett Crawford bagged his third Hong Kong win when Double Show took full advantage of barrier one to score a convincing victory in the Class Five Shek Mun Handicap (1,400m).

After making an encouraging start to his first campaign in the city, crowned by a Sha Tin double late last month, Crawford was thrilled to get on the board again when Double Show scored on his second run for the South African handler.

“I’m happy that he’s won the race and I thought he won quite well,” Crawford said.

“He’s dropped a lot in the ratings. Obviously he’ll get some of them back today, but I do think he’s a horse that’s got the ability to follow up.”

Crawford reserved special praise for jockey Karis Teetan, who teamed up with the trainer for plenty of success in South Africa before making the move to Hong Kong in 2013.

“He’s helped me a lot, he puts in the work in the mornings and he’s been a real guidance for me, so it’s nice to see him get the rewards,” Crawford said.

“He’s got a few more years’ experience here than I have and he’s been a huge help since I came here.”

Leung suffers finger injury

Derek Leung Ka-chun missed rides in the last two races on Sunday after sustaining a finger injury on Double Win in race three.

Leung injured a finger on his left hand when he tried to encourage Double Win to jump from the starting gates, though the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained gelding stood flat-footed and missed the start badly.

Leung was initially cleared to continue riding but was stood down by the club’s chief medical officer after riding Beauty Joy, who ran third in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m).