Jockey Damian Lane could not have wished for a better way to celebrate his 21st birthday than to receive a three-month licence to ride in Hong Kong.

The former Perth apprentice turned 21 last week and will take up the Hong Kong licence from the end of next month until the close of the racing season in July.

Lane, who recently rode his 500th career winner, said it was an honour to be granted a licence to ride in such a competitive environment as Hong Kong.

"I'm thrilled to be going and it can only improve my riding," Lane said.

"I'm very happy with the way things have gone over the past two or three years and hopefully it will keep progressing further."

Lane moved to Melbourne during the 2010/2011 season and finished his apprenticeship with the Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra stable.

After graduating to senior ranks has ridden more than 100 winners during the past two seasons.

He looks set to reach the milestone again after victory aboard Lucky Paddy at Ballarat on Thursday - his 71st winner for the season.

Lane sits in fourth position on the Melbourne metropolitan premiership table with 24 winners, seven behind the leader Damien Oliver.