The last time Danny Beasley rode in Sydney, John Hawkes was training for the Ingham family, Darren Beadman was premier jockey and Chris Waller wasn't among the top 10 trainers.

"And James Cummings, he was probably still at school and John Thompson was foreman for Bart," Beasley said.

"You're in the same place but it's totally different."

On Saturday at Rosehill, Beasley returns after nearly eight seasons in Singapore, intent on re-establishing himself among the top echelon of riders.

The 39-year-old will have to introduce himself to a new wave of jockeys and get his head around some major shifts in the training power base.

He knows it won't be easy.

Just as the past five months haven't been easy.

Beasley was second on the premiership table, leading rider by prize money and edging towards 500 winners when the Singapore Turf Club abruptly ended his contract in December.

Shocked, bitter and disillusioned, he returned to Australia but not to riding.

"I wouldn't say I ever considered retiring but when I had a break, I just left it like a clean piece of paper," he said.

"I wanted a break away from racing to allow myself time to work out what I wanted to do.

"As soon as I was away from it a bit, I realised how much it is part of your life."

Such is the competitiveness of Australia's jockey ranks, many riders struggle to re-establish themselves after time away.

But Beasley has drawn inspiration from Beadman and Damien Oliver who made successful comebacks after an absence from the sport.

"They had their time off when they were at a similar age to me, and when they did return they were arguably better for it," Beasley said.

"That's how I feel. I feel rejuvenated again, young again and I feel like I've got a lot to offer.

"I know that I'm a lot better rider than when I left. That's one thing Singapore did make me, a lot smarter rider and a more adaptable rider."

Beasley resumed trackwork at the end of April and had his first race rides during the recent Wagga carnival.

He relocated to Sydney on Monday, rode trackwork at Randwick on Tuesday and will be at Rosehill on Saturday for six rides including Belle De Coeur for Waller in the Darley Crown and Singing Flame for Kevin Moses in the Lord Mayor's Cup.

It is no coincidence his return coincides with the annual exodus of Sydney's best jockeys to Brisbane for the winter carnival.

He is keen to make inroads while James McDonald, Hugh Bowman, Tommy Berry and co are interstate.

And Beasley has made it clear he is here to stay.

"I don't just want to go around, I really want to get back to being in the top-five riders in Sydney."