A ride in an invitation race in China has whet the appetite for apprentice Janette Johnson's return to racing.

Johnson had her first Australian ride in several months at a Gold Coast provincial meeting last Saturday but has not ridden in a metropolitan race since August.

She will make her return to city-standard racing on Noisy Ocean for her master Bryan Guy.

Johnson has ridden 119 winners in her career and won the Gold Coast apprentices' title two seasons ago.

However, Johnson has struggled with weight issues and decided to take a couple of months off before returning to finish her apprenticeship.

During her sabbatical she was invited to ride in a race in Shanghai and finished second.

"It was a great experience and certainly something different," she said.

Guy has been a great supporter of Johnson whose comeback riding weight will be restricted to 55kg.

"It is a great pity Janette struggles with her weight because there are few better apprentice riders around," Guy said.