GARY Moore is poised to return to Hong Kong racing in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin riding a French challenger or trainer-brother John Moore's quality stayer, Survey King. Moore, back in the saddle after an almost five-year disqualification, has also asked the Jockey Club to licence him to ride in the Hong Kong Derby but, as a domestic rather than international race, his bid to participate in the Classic is unlikely to succeed. But Hong Kong fans will see their multiple former champion jockey in action on April 1 if one of his intended rides is selected to run in the 2,200-metre event. The 42-year-old Australian returned to the saddle at Taipa in Macau two weeks ago and his international riding diary is rapidly filling up - but Sha Tin on April 1 remains a magnet for him. 'I will be riding in Singapore, France and Italy over the next few months and would relish a return to Hong Kong for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup meeting in April,' Moore said. 'John and I have already spoken about Survey King and I have been in contact with Criquette Head about Sand Reef. I don't know if they will be selected but I am hopeful and it would be great to ride again at Sha Tin.' Survey King ran a magnificent race in defeat to McBrave at the Lunar New Year meeting and does look to have an outstanding chance of being selected. Prior to his superb run under 140 lbs he was rated 114 and would be almost an automatic choice. 'I don't know fully the form of Sand Reef but there is a big meeting at Longchamp on the Sunday and Criquette's main jockeys are likely to be riding there. It does open the door for me,' said Moore, who won the coveted Cravache d'Or when riding under retainer to Ms Head in 1987. Moore confirmed that he had applied to ride at the Derby meeting where, if successful, he could partner Master Eagle for brother John. He said: 'I have asked the Licensing Committee of the Jockey Club to grant my application and am waiting to here from them.' The Derby is a domestic Group One race and not open to riders not licensed in Hong Kong. However, it is Jockey Club policy to licence any jockey riding under an accepted jurisdiction who is engaged by the trainer of a horse selected for an international race into which category the Queen Elizabeth II Cup now falls. In relation to Jockey Club-disqualified persons riding again in Hong Kong, there are precedents, notably the now-retired English rider, Bruce Raymond, and four-time Sydney champion Kevin Moses, who won the Invitation Cup three years ago. Moore will leave the confines of Macau on March 1 to go to Singapore for the Lion City Cup meeting. He will partner prominent Hong Kong owner Frank Chao's New Venture. From Singapore he will head to Paris to ride Star Of Excellence, trained by Carlos Laffron-Parias. The horse is owned by good friend and noted Hong Kong wine guru, Cassam Gooljarry. Moore will base himself in France from June and has a major offer to ride in Italy. That comes from prominent owner Antonio Balzarini for whom Moore was riding when he was banned from racing.