W.A. JOCKEY DAMIAN LANE HEADS TO MELBOURNE

Class Bunbury based apprentice Damian Lane will embark on his biggest career move to date when he moves to Flemington at the end of this month to join the strong Mathew Ellerton %u2013 Simon Zahra team.

Lane, son of trainer Vicki Harper and indentured to his father and former successful jockey Michael Lane said on Sunday that he was looking forward to the move and thought that it was the right time to try his hand in the big confines of Victorian and Melbourne racing.

"I'm riding well at the moment and Dad says it's the best time to go with the winter months coming up," Lane explained.

"I'll be there for at least three-months first up but hope to stay longer depending on how things go and the opportunities I get."

"I went over last Monday and rode track work at Flemington on Tuesday morning. It was much the same except a lot busier."

"The stable has a team of 56 at the moment on course at Flemington," Lane said. The Ellerton - Zahra team train Group 1 winner Response along with the promising That's Not it, Utah Saints and Enjin.

Lane who began his riding career under two-years ago rode his first winner in the Pilbara and has gone from strength to strength carving out a reputation as a top rider and an affable person. He has ridden 63 winners this season including 19 metropolitan victories and 162 placegetters.

He has a big day at Bunbury on Thursday where he will attempt to win Bunbury Turf Club's leading rider award at the club's final meeting for the season. Lane leads by one win from William Pike.
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Very capable young rider. Hope he goes well in Victoria.

Talented Bunbury apprentice Damian Lane has wasted little time in making an impact on Melbourne racing circles after landing his second win in the space of a week at Kyneton last Tuesday.

Lane was at his sublime best when he stylishly lifted the Mathew Ellerton-Simon Zahra-trained Pixie to an impressive victory in the Optus Business Rising Stars Handicap (1125m).

It was a cool, composed and calculated ride from Lane that has become the hallmark of his early career.

He settled a distant last with the Lonhro mare who was giving her rivals a big start on straightening but sprouted wings down the outside of the track before grabbing victory with a desperate lunge on the line.

It mirrored a similar ride on Annlea at Flemington last Saturday which delivered the 17-year-old his maiden Melbourne win.

''He has a very mature head on his shoulders,'' Ellerton said.

''He has good poise, does not panic and is an excellent horseman.''

Lane was delighted by the win and the realisation of a dream.

''Winning a race at Flemington is something I always wanted to do,'' he said.

''It also gets the monkey off my back early and relieves a bit of pressure.''

It has been the ideal start for Lane but one that has not surprised his supporters back home including his father Michael.

''I always knew he would make a success of it because he is such a hard worker with a level head on his shoulders,'' Michael said.

''I know they are wrapt with him and the way he has settled in very well.''

Lane will attempt to make it a trifecta of wins when he takes the mount on Indian Curry in the Eastcoast Mitre 10 Mighty Shed Handicap (1100m) at Sale this afternoon.

It is his only ride on the program but he is determined to make the most of every opportunity.

''Riding against the best jockeys in the country is really exciting,'' Damian said.

''It is the best way to learn.''
JULIO SANTARELLI, South Western Times May 26, 2011, 8:00 am Send

Gun apprentice Damian Lane will ride at Belmont Park on Saturday as part of a brief return home to catch up with family and friends.

Lane has been in sparkling form in Melbourne since transferring to the powerful Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra stable at Flemington - a move he has decided to make permanent.

He has ridden 12 winners since heading east in May and scored his first city winner of the new season on the Ellerton and Zahra-trained Mr Griswold at Flemington on Saturday.

"He's coming over for a couple of days and is keen to ride at Belmont on Saturday," Lane's father and trainer Michael said. "John Claite will do his rides for Belmont.

"He's going on holidays at the end of this month and then he'll see how he goes over the spring, but at this stage he's staying over (there)."

Lane is looking forward to the challenge of riding in Victoria during the Melbourne spring carnival, which can force apprentices to head to provincial meetings more often.

His 11 winners in the second half of last season in Melbourne included an impressive double on Bolisimo Miss and the WA-owned Ulundi at Flemington on June 25.