Zac Purton hailed his BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) win on Massive Sovereign as one of the most memorable victories of his glittering career as he ended a frustrating run in the feature in spectacular style.

The six-time Hong Kong champion jockey wove his magic with a brilliant ride on Massive Sovereign, lifting Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s charge to victory in an epic finish to the city’s most prestigious race.

Second last in the early stages and trailing tearaway leader Ka Ying Generation by a big margin at the top of the straight, Massive Sovereign speared through a gap and launched a powerful run to surge to the front inside the final 50m.

Starting the $4.4 second favourite, the No Nay Never gelding won by a neck from Galaxy Patch, who stormed home from last for Blake Shinn.

Ka Ying Generation was close behind in third after Andrea Atzeni’s bold front-running ride almost paid off.

Purton showed rare emotion, standing high in his irons and saluting when claiming his second Derby win.

Since his only triumph in the race on Luger in 2015, the Australian had fallen agonisingly short with six placings including two narrow seconds.

“I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have found such a horse to win it,” Purton said.

“To win the race itself, it’s the most prestigious race in Hong Kong and I’ve had a frustrating run in this race and a frustrating season, so it’s nice to get another big one – and probably the biggest one among the local races overall.

“To finally get one of the bigger ones, it’s a bit of a relief and especially for Dennis – we’ve had such a great association over the years.

“To do it with him is special as well on what looks like a special horse.”

Purton, who finished Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting with a treble, conceded Atzeni’s tactics on Ka Ying Generation tested Massive Sovereign.

The overall time of 1:59.85 was the fastest in a Derby since it was switched to 2,000m in the year 2000.

“When the leader was that far in front – and that horse keeps galloping, he doesn’t stop or give up – he might have tired a little bit but he didn’t capitulate, so he made me earn it,” Purton said.

“I always thought I was going to get close but how close, you can’t be sure. Once I got to the 200m, I could feel I had his measure.

“Obviously the track is playing a certain way today [favouring horses on speed]. I came here with my idea on how I was going to ride the horse, I had to adjust that and when I went up and spoke to Dennis and the connections, they said ‘do whatever you want to do, we’ll leave it with you’.”

Purton hadn’t locked in a Derby ride until Massive Sovereign exploded on the scene with a phenomenal first-up win over 2,000m on March 3.

A two-time winner in Ireland when known as Broadhurst and trained by Aidan O’Brien, Massive Sovereign proved he is a star on the rise by becoming the first galloper to win the Derby at just his second Hong Kong start since Oriental Express in 1997.

“At one stage, I thought I was going to ride Ensued and the owner wanted Ryan (Moore), then I thought I would ride Helios (Express) and I was away when Hughy (Bowman) won on him and then I watched him win the first two legs [Classic Mile and Classic Cup] and I didn’t really have a horse for the Derby until this bloke won, so like when I won on Luger, it was a late pickup ride into the race,” Purton said.

“[Massive Sovereign] has shown us so far that he’s the ideal horse here in Hong Kong and he’s got such a good attitude. He’s just taken everything in his stride since he got here. I loved him in the mornings, you love a lot of horses in the morning but they don’t turn up on race days – this guy has turned up on race day so far.

“I’m not sure how good he’s going to be, only time will tell but he’s done a good job so far.”