The Sydney carnival may be the only chance for punters to see stars of the saddle Joao Moreira, Tommy Berry, Zac Purton and Nash Rawiller ride in Australia next year after a ruling from Hong Kong Jockey Club on Monday.

From the start of 2018, jockeys from the racing mecca will only be allowed to fly into Australia or any other country for a race in the world's top 100, according to the International Federation of Horseracing Authority, or to ride horses trained in Hong Kong or a race sponsored by the HKJC.

The club also made clear it would not allow Hong Kong-based jockeys to ride in jurisdictions where riders can't defer a suspension to fulfil riding engagements. That would count out any Melbourne meeting as jockeys can only ride on after a suspension when they have accepted rides where fields have been declared.

However, Hong Kong jockeys would still be open to ride at six meetings during the Sydney autumn starting on Chipping Norton Stakes day and working through Golden Slipper day, the two days of The Championships and finishing with All Aged Stakes day.

Jockeys flying into Australia for any meeting would still be allowed to take other rides on the day but would be required to be discerning about the rides they take outside approved races by the HKJC.

"They are looking after their jurisdiction, which is what we try to do in NSW," Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said. "We enjoy seeing the best jockeys from Hong Kong come here to ride at our meetings and hope to see them here for The Championships and during the autumn.

"There is always great interest when the likes Tommy Berry, Sam Clipperton and Nash Rawiller return home."

Hong Kong-based jockeys have won numerous group 1s in Australia in the past decade, including a Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Golden Slipper and Epsom Handicap.

The change in HKJC policy came after the Melbourne spring carnival where a number of Hong Kong jockeys were suspended and forced to miss meetings where they are contracted, only a couple of days later.

The ultimate racing form guide with free tips, live odds and alerts for all racing.