Brazilian Group One winner Sagacious Life sensationally surged into Classic Series calculations with an upset win on his Hong Kong debut in Sunday’s Class Two Panasonic Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin.

Starting a $33.65 chance against strong opposition, the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained import capitalised on a light weight of 108lb after Britney Wong Po-ni’s claim to hand the apprentice her biggest victory in the city.

Wong settled Sagacious Life midfield on the fence and he appeared to be keeping on only moderately as Steps Ahead drew clear at the 150m.

However, Sagacious Life exploded with a sharp late burst to nail Steps Ahead on the line by a short head.

Stunning Peach ran on well for third ahead of last year’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero Massive Sovereign, while the $3 favourite Hong Lok Golf could only manage sixth, two and a half lengths behind the shock winner.

“It was definitely a surprise,” Ng said of Sagacious Life, who notched four wins and two seconds from six pre-import starts when known as Navio Fantasma.

“He’s from Brazil, it’s a long way to come here and quite interestingly, he trialled well over 1,000m and 1,200m and in a mile trial in Conghua, he was superb.

“Today we were looking for prize money and he actually won. The owner [Leslie Lui Chi-yuen] requested he race today – he’s here with his kids and they brought us luck, so we’re over the moon.”

Ng said the three legs of the four-year-old series – the Classic Mile in February, March’s Classic Cup (1,800m) and the HK$26 million Derby – were all on the table for Sagacious Life.

The son of Put It Back won the Group One Grande Premio Derby Paulista (2,400m) on his final Brazilian start. He also ran seconds in Group Ones over 1,600m and 2,000m behind Opazo, who is yet to race in Hong Kong for new trainer Mark Newnham under his new name of Winfield.

“We have [the Derby] in the back of our minds. Now he’ll get some points, that will be his target,” Ng said of Sagacious Life, whose rating will shoot up to the mid-80s after Sunday’s success.

Ng also praised 26-year-old Wong for her patient ride.

“She didn’t rush him in the early stages,” Ng said. “We were slightly behind where we thought we’d be but the horse picked up really well, so I can’t complain.”

Sagacious Life completed a much-needed double for Ng, who has had a lean start to the season.

On The Lash struck for the 42-year-old in Sunday’s opener, the Class Five Panasonic Air-Conditioner Handicap (1,800m), with the Savabeel gelding breaking through for his first win at start 16 when booted home by Luke Ferraris.

Ng lifted his seasonal tally to three wins and believes he was unlucky not to have another on Sunday.

Stewards dismissed an objection from Zac Purton, the rider of Ng’s debutant Georgian Sigma, after he was taken out wide on the turn by Ever Luck before running second to that galloper in the Class Four Panasonic TV Handicap (1,200m).

Sagacious Life wasn’t the only Hong Kong debutant to salute on Sunday, with Australian import Alpha Strike victorious for new trainer Caspar Fownes in the Class Three Technics Headphones Handicap (1,000m).

Ipswich maiden winner Alpha Strike lived up to his impressive trials and $2.8 quote to narrowly beat the fast-finishing Sparkling Fellow under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu.