Emerging Aussie star Damian Lane joins the fray in Hong Kong
Talented young Australian jockey Damian Lane hopes to make an immediate impact in his first riding stint in Hong Kong when his Club Jockey contract commences on Sunday, 29 March.
Officially meeting the local media for the first time at Sha Tin racecourse this morning, Lane, who ranks third in the Victorian Jockeys’ Championship with 80 wins this season, said he’s very honoured and grateful to be in Hong Kong, despite the fact it will be his first riding experience outside Australia and New Zealand.
“I have been looking forward to riding in Hong Kong. Being given the opportunity at such a young age, I’m very happy,” he said.
“I hope I can further my career as a jockey and improve my riding skills here. As a jockey you are always looking to improve. I’ve also watched Hong Kong races on TV and it’s such a great stage of racing. That’s why I want to be part of it.”
Lane, whose father and mother are both trainers, started riding at the age of 10 and rode his first race as an apprentice in 2009 when he was 15. In 2011 he moved his riding base to Victoria and was subsequently propelled to the leading ranks as he rode a century of winners in both of his last two seasons. Having ridden a total of 511 winners so far in his career, his maiden top-class success came early this season when he partnered the Darren Weir-trained Trust In A Gust for a win the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup at Caulfield last September.
Having participated at track work for two mornings, Lane said he is overawed with his experience and that the facilities at Sha Tin are top-class and fantastic, but he understands and will not underestimate the potential challenge he could be facing, as have the other Australian jockeys like Hugh Bowman and Nash Rawiller, in the highly competitive racing environment in Hong Kong.
“Everyone says the same thing — it’s very challenging. It will be lucky if you can get results early. [David] Hayes said no matter how you think you are going, you just have to keep trying and eventually luck will come,” Lane said.
Having been booked for nine rides in his first Hong Kong raceday at Sha Tin this Sunday, Lane has already declared his intention to return to ride in Hong Kong again in the future. He said: “If things go well and I’m given the opportunity to come back. I’ll definitely jump at it.”
Lane’s contract will go through to the last race meeting of current racing season on 12 July. His minimum riding weight is 119 pounds.
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Damian Lane is hoping for success during his riding stint in Hong Kong.
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