Damian Lane is convinced he has returned to Melbourne a better rider after a three-month stint in Hong Kong.
And the 21-year-old has set his sights on a successful season in Victoria in 2015/16 after a year in which he netted his first Group One win and experienced the competitive Hong Kong racing scene.
Lane makes his Victorian return at Cranbourne on Wednesday with six rides ahead of the new season which kicks off at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The jockey had ridden 80 winners in Victoria this term before he ventured to Hong Kong where he rode another five.
“It was a great learning curve and a great opportunity,” Lane said.
“I’m glad I did it. It was tough but it definitely did help my riding.
“It just really sharpens you up.
“You’ve got to get into position quickly there and I just think it’s helped my riding all-round.”
Lane notched his first Group One aboard the Darren Weir-trained Trust In A Gust in the Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup at Caulfield last spring.
He almost added another when Extra Zero finished a nose second to Spillway in the Australian Cup in March.
“It’s been a very busy season for me and a very productive one,” he said.
Lane rode 106 winners nation-wide during the 2012/13 season.
In 2013/14 he notched 105 wins including 102 in Victoria which placed him third on the state-wide premiership behind Brad Rawiller and Dean Yendall.
“I just want to ride as many winners as I can,” he said of his goals for the upcoming season.
“I was top three in overall wins (in Victoria) behind Dean Yendall and Michael Walker before I left for Hong Kong and I’d like to go a couple better than that next season, hopefully.”
