Damian Lane’s riding career has taken an unexpected turn with the 21-year-old offered a contract to ride in Hong Kong for the final three months of the season.

Lane will take up the exclusive position in the Mecca of world racing from March 29, with the season closing on July 12.

Since shifting across from Western Australia to be apprenticed to the Ellerton/Zahrastable during the 2010/11 season, Lane has continued to impress as one of the best young riders in Australia.

He has ridden more than 100 winners for the past two seasons and is on target to achieve that milestone again this year.

Lane achieved every jockey’s dream last Spring when he partnered the Darren Weir-trained Trust In A Gust to Group 1 success in the Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup.

Lane has ridden 24 metropolitan winners this season and sits fourth on the premiership behind Damien OliverDwayne Dunn and Craig Williams. (www.racing.com)