Top Melbourne jockey Damian Lane has landed in Japan on Monday morning in a bid to resume his riding license with the Japan Racing Association (JRA).
Lane rode successfully in Japan last year and made the quick dash following Saturday’s Bendigo meeting, flying to Sydney before exiting Australia on Sunday.
The champion jockey is eligible for a three-month license in Japan and is now in strict isolation quarantine for two weeks before being allowed to ride.
Lane still needs approval from the JRA before he is officially allowed to return to the saddle but made the trip in the hope he can get the green light and then ride Salios in a Grade 1 feature on April 19.
With interstate jockeys blocked from competing at the Sydney autumn carnival due to quarantine restrictions, Lane made the decision to exit Australia earlier than he had initially planned, given it was always his intention to return to Japan at some stage this year.
Lane rode more than 35 winners in Japan during a two-month stint between April and June last year before returning to Japan under a special license to partner Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner Lys Gracieux to victory in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen (2500m) last December.
