Ricky Yiu Poon-fai hopes the decision to call upon Australian ace Damian Lane can allow Simply Maverick to take another step forward in Sunday’s Classic Cup (1,800m).

Bidding for a maiden victory in the second leg of the four-year-old series, Yiu has entrusted the 30-time Group One-winning jockey with the ride aboard the progressive Simply Maverick.

Prolific in his native Australia, Lane broke through at the elite level in Hong Kong when he tasted Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) success aboard Win Marilyn in 2022.

The 30-year-old was not far away from claiming back-to-back triumphs in the race in December when his mount Zeffiro finished a close runner-up behind French raider Junko.

After experiencing a three-month stint in the city as a 21-year-old, Lane has been back and forth for fleeting visits in the last nine years to take his record in Hong Kong to 10 wins from 206 rides.

Lane and Yiu have returned two victories from 20 attempts as a duo and the veteran handler hopes Simply Maverick can get on the front foot before taking on next month’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).

“His run last time was a good effort over 1,800m and I was looking for an overseas jockey who will be able to ride him in the Classic Cup and the Derby,” Yiu said.

“I have spoken to Damian, but he is very busy. It’s a tough race and it will be very interesting to see how [Simply Maverick] can perform against the big boys.”

Winless from his first four appearances, Simply Maverick brushed aside his rivals to saunter to a four-and-three-quarter-length victory at Happy Valley in December.

After finding plenty of traffic when he finished third later that month, Simply Maverick notched consecutive victories in January to continue his stellar record over the city circuit’s mile course.

Ahead of opting for a four-year-old series tilt with the son of Sebring, Yiu sent Simply Maverick to Sha Tin for his first taste of the Classic Cup course and distance earlier this month.

“We went to Sha Tin earlier in his career over 1,200m and a mile but he hadn’t been there for a long time,” Yiu said. “He’s done his best at the Valley, but since we’ve entered him for the Derby we needed to go back to Sha Tin to have a good look at it.

“He did a good job to finish second and it showed Sha Tin is no problem for him. If he can handle the tight turns at the Valley, then Sha Tin should be better for him with more room and a longer straight.”

Lane, whose most recent association with a Hong Kong-based galloper was aboard Duke Wai in South Korea, faces a selection of overseas jockeys in Sunday’s feature.

Ryan Moore rode Ensued when the galloper was based in England and will reunite with the John Size-trained son of Lemon Drop Kid for the contest. Blake Shinn partners the Caspar Fownes-trained Elliptical and Mickael Barzalona hops aboard Speed Dragon once again.

California Voce was scratched from the HK$13 million contest on Thursday after suffering a lame left foreleg, meaning the Fownes-trained Awesome Fluke gets a run.

The Group Two WATC Derby (2,400m) winner initially missed out on the final field of 14 and will jump from gate 10 under the guidance of Harry Bentley.