Damian Lane booked for Fast Network's Japanese campaign

Star jockey Damian Lane is set to partner Fast Network when he contests the Group Two Centaur Stakes (1,200m) at Hanshin before a tilt at Group One glory in the Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama a month later.

The Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained galloper has enjoyed a strong season in Hong Kong, winning a pair of races, including the Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m) and the Class One Essex Handicap (1,200m).

He has also run some cracking races in defeat, chasing home Ka Ying Rising for second in the Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m) back in November before finishing third behind the champion sprinter in both the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) and Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m).

With the Centaur Stakes clashing with the opening meeting of the season at Sha Tin on September 6, booking the likes of Zac Purton is out of the question, but the likely booking of Lane is a huge coup for the horse.

The top Australian jockey first rode in Japan on a short-term stint in 2019, tasting top-level glory in four Group Ones that year. He has had plenty of success in multiple stints in the Land of the Rising Sun since, winning another four Group Ones while also riding Japan’s Win Marilyn and Tasteria to Group One wins in Hong Kong.

Fast Network is currently building his fitness at Conghua and Yip is confident his star can do some damage in both his Japanese targets.

“I spoke to the Jockey Club and they have said they will open Conghua for me to train him. I will have to bring him back to Sha Tin in August because of the restoration work,” Yip said.

“I think before we go to Japan, I will give him a barrier trial to help with his fitness. Right now, he is very well and very healthy. Between the runs, he will stay in Japan.

“I believe we will have Damian Lane on board, it is not yet fixed but it’s 80 per cent that he will ride him. I’m confident in my horse – both races will be tough of course, but I think he will run well.”

In the immediate future, Yip heads to Sha Tin on Sunday with a live chance in Smart Avenue, who contests the Class Three Sight Winner Handicap (1,600m) with Zac Purton aboard.

The Shamus Award galloper has won a pair of races this campaign, winning in the grade two starts ago when paired with Purton for the first time, before finishing fifth under the champion once again last start at Happy Valley.

He will break from barrier nine at Sha Tin and Yip is expecting a big run from his consistent four-year-old.

“He’s won twice this season so he’s been a great horse for the stable. He carried a big weight [135lb] at Happy Valley last time but he still ran well,” Yip said. “He will run well, but we would prefer a lower draw.”

The 2012-13 champion trainer, who has trained 21 winners this campaign, will also have Zetta Force, Derrynblue, Super Love, Lean Flyer, Majestic Life and Love Espresso running for him on the penultimate card of the campaign.