Battling limited opportunities in his second Hong Kong season, Keagan de Melo hopes to continue his fruitful association with Winning Gold when the emerging four-year-old steps out at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The South African jockey has had just 25 rides – the third-fewest of the 23 riders based in the city – and two wins this campaign, courtesy of Harmony N Blessed and Winning Gold.

“It’s been a bit of a slow start to the season,” said De Melo, who booted home a solid 21 wins in his first season in the city in 2023-24.

“Hopefully it can pick up a little bit. Winning Gold is in good form and hopefully he can get me one more [win].”

Winning Gold has been a beacon of light for De Melo, finishing last term with back-to-back victories and carrying that form into the new season with a sensational first-up performance.

In his first start at Class Three level, the Chris So Wai-yin-trained gelding was snagged back to near last from barrier 11 but launched a stunning burst down the outside to seal his hat-trick.

After chasing down Top Gun to score by half a length, he rises to 1,600m for the first time in Sunday’s Class Three Creative Spirit Handicap.

“The draw put me back in that position – he’s not a horse you can really go around on and ultimately he was just outpaced,” De Melo said.

“The mile will probably suit him better now and he’ll be able to get into the race a little bit better.”

De Melo, who has been aboard Winning Gold in all eight starts, said the son of Brazen Beau has improved mentally after proving to be a handful early in his career.

“He used to be a nightmare in the gates and he’s got better,” De Melo said.

“We’ve learned a few tricks and he seems to be jumping on terms now and just mentally, he is getting a bit stronger.”

Winning Gold contests a strong Class Three mile featuring the likes of fellow last-start winners Pray For Mir and Turin Starspangled, as well as recent placegetters Fortunate Son and Illuminous.

De Melo said Winning Gold has been “a lot sharper” since his first-up victory and his best is yet to come.

“The edge is off a little bit as well, so all systems go for the weekend,” he said. “At this point, I’m not really sure [how high he can go]. He’s not a finished product yet.

“Hopefully he can get into Class Two. I think the weekend’s going to be his biggest test, going to the mile with a little bit more weight, but in his advantage he’s got [barrier one].”

A fourth straight win on Sunday would boost Winning Gold’s chances of being aimed at the Classic Mile in January.

De Melo will also team up again with Harmony N Blessed on Sunday, with the David Hayes-trained veteran facing a mammoth task against the likes of Ka Ying Rising and California Spangle in the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m).

The seven-year-old scored an upset win at $22 when comfortably accounting for Superb Capitalist in the Class Two Woodpecker Handicap (1,200m) last start.

De Melo’s other ride on Sunday is Perfuse, who makes his Hong Kong debut for trainer David Hall in the Class Three Shared Prosperity Handicap (1,200m).

The Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) prospect won two of his five starts under the same name in Britain for Michael Stoute.