Star jockey James McDonald will return from suspension on Friday night at Canterbury

Champion hoop James McDonald will ride for two days in Sydney before jetting back over to Hong Kong.

James McDonald returns at Canterbury on Friday night. Picture: Vince Caligiuri-Getty Images.

Champion jockey James McDonald will begin a three-country globe trotting crusade at Canterbury on Friday night.

With the Magic Millions meeting postponed until Friday night, the door was ajar for McDonald to return from suspension at the big money Gold Coast program.

But McDonald will remain closer to home with a healthy list of bookings for leading trainer Chris Waller in Sydney.

McDonald has been on the sidelines for the past month after his latest Hong Kong stint was cut short following his role in a race fall at Sha Tin last month.

He is set to return to Hong Kong on Sunday to reconnect with Voyage Bubble in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) crown at Sha Tin.

McDonald combined with the Ricky Yiu-trained galloper last start to salute in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile.

He will then travel to Dubai with trainer Danny Shum to ride Romantic Warrior.

Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior is set for a three-run campaign in the Middle East, starting with the Group 1 Jebbel Hetta in Dubai on January 24.

"It's history at Sha Tin!"

Romantic Warrior is victorious in a historic third G1 Hong Kong Cup 🏆

A legend of the turf ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/oRBHjWPPqB

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 8, 2024

Romantic Warrior, the world’s highest-rated horse, will likely go to the $32 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia on February 22 before the $8 million Dubai Turf at the Dubai World Cup meeting on April 5.

McDonald hasn’t ridden in Sydney in two months but still holds a commanding lead in the jockeys’ premiership with 46 wins for the season, putting him 10 clear of Tim Clark.

McDonald will keep his focus closer to home this weekend where he will ride Osipenko in Saturday’s Listed $200,000 January Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Osipenko was an acceptor in last weekend’s $500,000 The Lakes at Wyong but Waller elected to wait another week with the gelding before claiming the race anyway with Waterford.

Nominations were extended for the January Cup after 11 horses were entered for the race on Monday morning with Waller also nominating in-form gelding Saltcoats.

Wodeton, a $15 chance in Golden Slipper betting despite not having a start, has been nominated to make his debut in the 2yO Handicap on the program.

Originally published as Star jockey James McDonald will return from suspension on Friday night at Canterbury