James McDonald will head to the final race meeeting of the season more determined than ever to ride a winner.

The Chris Waller-trained Reigning gave McDonald a much-needed boost at Randwick on Saturday with his win moving him to 70 and equal footing with Nash Rawiller.

A countback of McDonald's second placegetters would give him the nod over last year's champion Rawiller who gave up his defence to ride on a short-term contract in Japan.

But McDonald, whose bid has been thwarted by suspensions and a frustrating run of outs including last Wednesday, says that is not the way he wants to claim his first title.

"It is a relief to draw level especially after Wednesday," McDonald said.

"But I've got to get one more.

"I'd rather win it outright."

The champion jockey in New Zealand on more than one occasion, McDonald has completed two full seasons in Sydney.

He fought hard to get the win on Reigning over stablemate Black Jag ,ridden by apprentice Rory Hutchings, McDonald's heir apparent across the Tasman.

Hutchings has been travelling to Sydney for the past few Saturdays to ride for Waller.

McDonald has been booked for four rides at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.