Globetrotting superstar William Buick is set to ride mercurial Pakistan Star in next month’s Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) with connections making moves to secure the jockey.

Trainer Tony Cruz confirmed contact had been made with Buick after the five-year-old’s flop last Sunday where he finished 18 lengths behind eventual winner Eagle Way.

Karis Teetan has been aboard the gelding in all three starts this season, with the dual Group One winner looking a shadow of himself, even threatening to stop in the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) earlier this month.

Buick has ridden the horse just once, when he won the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) last season in dominant fashion.

After defending the efforts of both Pakistan Star and Time Warp in Sunday’s Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m), Cruz said he expected Buick to take the ride in next month’s HKIR.

“We are trying to confirm with William – that is the way it is heading,” he said. “We will know more in the coming days.”

With both Pakistan Star and Time Warp trotting at Sha Tin on Tuesday, Cruz said no abnormalities had been detected after the disappointing performance.

“The horses both pulled up OK from the run,” he said.

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Having only sat on Pakistan Star once in his career, Buick was full of praise for the horse, labelling him “world-class” at the time.

“He is quite a famous horse for his antics, so I was aware of what he can do,” Buick said after his Group One win.

“I took on all the information I could but I thought it was quite important to go and ride him with a fresh mind and be very positive.”

Buick, a full-time stable jockey for world powerhouse Godolphin, is expected to secure a handful of rides in the HKIR meeting.

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The one win on Pakistan Star remains the only time both Cruz and Buick have paired up.

Pakistan Star has had six jockeys in his career with Matthew Chadwick, Joao Moreira, Silvestre de Sousa and Tommy Berry all attempting to make the ride their own before Teetan’s opportunity this season.