James McDonald's effort to be in contention for the Sydney jockeys' premiership is remarkable, and not just because he has spent the past five weeks riding in England.

The jockey has not competed at a Saturday meeting in Sydney since Anzac Day.

As well as his overseas sojourn, his commitments with Godolphin during the Brisbane winter carnival have kept McDonald away from Sydney's main day of racing since April.

There is little doubt the jockeys' premiership would be at McDonald's mercy had he stayed home.

But Godolphin's No.1 Australian rider says he wouldn't change a thing.

"The whole five weeks were a highlight from when I got off the plane," McDonald said of his time in the UK.

"I had an unbelievable time.

"I enjoyed every minute of it to be honest, so if I get beaten (for the premiership) there will be no regrets."

McDonald, who arrived back in Sydney this week, didn't get on the scoreboard at his first meeting back at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when he was joined in the premiership lead by Blake Shinn on 88-1/2 wins.

Hugh Bowman sits 1-1/2 wins behind that pair in a three-way title race.

McDonald has seven rides at Rosehill, three of them early favourites including the Godolphin pair of Alegria in the Ladbrokes.com.au Handicap and Grunderzeit in the Hungry Jacks Handicap.

Shinn also has seven mounts while Bowman's book has been reduced to six by the scratching of the Peter Moody-trained Herstory who will run at Flemington.