Flaming Rabbit dictated terms from the front and stole a march on his rivals to give South African duo Douglas Whyte and Lyle Hewitson a drought-breaking win in the Class Two United Alumni Handicap (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Sent straight to the lead after starting brilliantly, Flaming Rabbit justified late support to cause a minor upset as the $4.7 second favourite.

Hewitson capitalised on an uncontested lead, running the first 800m 1.74 seconds slower than standard time, before booting the Time Test entire clear at the 300m.

The Golden Scenery and $1.5 favourite Mugen launched their runs down the centre of the track, but Flaming Rabbit maintained a considerable margin to go on to score by one and a half lengths.

The Golden Scenery was second ahead of Mugen, who ran on from second last in the field of seven but struggled with the slow tempo.

Flaming Rabbit delivered former champion jockey Whyte and Hewitson their first victory together this season. It was also their first triumph since the same galloper’s most recent success in July last year.

“It’s been a long time between drinks,” Whyte said. “[Hewitson] has been one of my main go-to jockeys and I’ve been a great supporter of his. We have no issues, he’s still a friend of mine.

“Again, circumstances and Hong Kong being Hong Kong, we just haven’t had the luck and I’m glad the monkey’s off both of our backs. It would be nice if this was the start of a building relationship towards the end of the season.”

A Group Three winner in Germany and Britain, Flaming Rabbit showed top form last season but had battled in his six previous starts this term.

Whyte lamented other speedsters taking him on for the lead in recent races. The handler also made key gear changes for Sunday’s race, replacing the crossed nose band with a tongue tie and ring bit.

“He’s been running at seven furlongs and he’s never been in a comfort zone,” Whyte said.

“He’s always had something taking him on and he’s been under pressure. We’ve sorted a few things out with him and he’s beginning like he used to begin. He won the start, dictated matters from the start and he took a lot of the horses out of their comfort zone.

“He’s a fit horse and I think the mile suits him. It’s just taken a long time to get to a mile because of circumstances and I think track conditions certainly helped him as well.”

Elsewhere at the meeting, Chris So Wai-yin prepared his second double this week when Smart Leader won the Class Five Chung Chi Alumni Handicap (1,200m) and Prosecco claimed the Class Four Faculty Of Education Alumni Handicap (1,000m).

Smart Leader rocketed home from midfield under Keagan de Melo to score by a length and a quarter in his first Hong Kong triumph since November 2022.

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Prosecco ended a streak of luckless runs in style when he sprinted sharply along the nearside rail up the straight course for Karis Teetan.

It was the son of Starspangledbanner’s first Hong Kong win at start 29, with his only previous triumph registered in France in September 2020.

So, who also landed a double with United Endeavors and Our Lucky Glory at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, was in Japan on the weekend visiting family.