Melbourne-based jockey Michael Dee has been rewarded for his exceptional season with a short-term contract to ride in Hong Kong.

The Kiwi native has been granted a licence to ride in the Asian mecca from May 22 to July 9, both dates inclusive.

Starting his career in New Zealand where he has won 119 races, Dee moved to Melbourne in 2015 to continue his apprenticeship with Mick Price and the 2022-23 season has been a breakout one for the 27-year-old jockey.

Dee has claimed six Group One victories this season, including the Caulfield Cup, the Victoria Derby and the Australian Guineas and currently sits fourth on the Victorian Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership with 32 wins for the season.

He will head to Hong Kong after he has four rides at Sandown this afternoon, fresh off adding to his Group One tally at Morphettville yesterday, where he partnered with Royal Merchant for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace to win the Gr.1 The Goodwood (1200m).

Dee has already been granted leave by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to return to Brisbane on June 10 to partner the Maher and Eustace-trained daughter of Tavistock, Ruthless Dame in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, a pre-existing booking.