A position on the Hong Kong jockey roster has been accepted by Ethan Brown, effective from April 20 to the end of this season.

The 26-year-old, who holds third spot in Melbourne’s jockey premiership on 27 winners, will qualify for rides there beginning April 26.

Two weeks ago, Brown fielded a call from Terry Bailey, the former Melbourne chief steward, sounding him out on a potential Hong Kong stint.

“It’s a good opportunity and I’m ready for a new challenge,” Brown said.

“Terry Bailey rang me a couple of weeks ago and asked if I would be interested and, I said ‘definitely’, and it all got ticked off in the last few days.

“It’s always been in the back of my mind to go there, and when they offered, I didn’t have to think twice about it.”

Brown’s immediate priorities lie with the autumn carnivals in Melbourne and Sydney.

Saturday brings his booking on Giga Kick for the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington, substituting for Mark Zahra who is injured.

This will be Brown’s premiere race ride on Giga Kick after trialling the horse at Caulfield Heath January 29.

His decision to defer Hong Kong earlier allowed continuity with Jimmysstar.

Ciaron Maher’s charge eyes a return in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield next month, then Sydney for the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) and All-Aged Stakes (1400m) over Randwick in April.

Fans eager for the Lightning Stakes can find excellent options among the betting markets for the race.

“The Hong Kong trip is all based around Jimmy,” Brown said.

“He’ll run in the All-Aged on the 18th, I believe, and then I’ll fly out on the 20th and spend three-and-a-bit months there.”

The post Ethan Brown secures Hong Kong licence first appeared on Just Horse Racing.