McDonald ready for return to ride

A return to riding trackwork and trials has a reinvigorated expatKiwi James McDonald fizzing about his raceday comeback next month.

‘‘It was a big step going to trackwork and it will all lead to my first ride somewhere on a Wednesday in six weeks’ time,’’ he said on Tuesday.

‘‘I rode 12 and there weren’t any slow ones to just get my eye in. My body is in really good condition and I couldn’t have asked for a better start.

‘‘I’ve got trials rides on Friday for five different trainers – mainly for Chris Waller, but also for John O’Shea, Godolphin, the Snowdens and Gai Waterhouse and I’m really looking forward to that.’’

McDonald was disqualified from riding for 18 months in 2016 after he was found to have bet A$1000 on a horse he was riding in December 2015, breaching Australian racing’s strict rules on jockeys betting.

He lost an appeal on the severity of the ban, but was allowed to begin riding trackwork and trials from April 3, six weeks before his disqualification ends on May 15.

While he has kept himself in excellent physical condition over the past year and a-half through a combination of golf, squash and a daily 10km walk with his girlfriend Katelyn Mallyon, McDonald intends ramping up his fitness regime in readiness for his raceday return.

‘‘The last month or six weeks I’ve been working really hard. It’s been like a 15-month holiday and while I’ve been keeping fit, this is another level altogether, though the hard work won’t hurt me,’’ he said.

‘‘I’ve been working with a conditioning coach, working on my core and my fitness as well as working on strengthening for the position I’ll be in when I’m riding.’’

McDonald said the enforced break has him refreshed ahead of his return and given him a chance to reflect on what was most important to him.