Apprentice Michael Dee has collected a milestone victory as Hard Romp scored at Flemington.

It was the former New Zealander's first Flemington victory since making the move to Australia in January.

"It's a huge thrill to be winning a race here at Flemington and especially up the straight," Dee said on Saturday.

Making full use of his 3kg claim, Dee guided Hard Romp ($15) to a hard-fought, short-half-head victory over talented sprinter Ball Of Muscle ($2.60 fav) in the 3AW Community Raceday Handicap (1000m).

Formerly apprenticed to Kevin Myers in New Zealand, Dee moved to the stables of Mick Price at Caulfield in January and landed a winner with his first ride aboard Royal Snitzel at Moonee Valley.

After riding 107 winners in New Zealnd in a quick start to his career, Hard Romp's victory was Dee's 12th, and sixth in the metropolitan area, since moving to Australia.

Dee said the move was to gain more experience.

"It's more competitive over here and it's good to be riding against the very top jockeys like Craig Williams and Damien Oliver," he said.