James McDonald, a top Sydney jockey and a former New Zealander, has been flying around the world lately and will add another trip to his record when he returns to his home country this weekend to ride at the TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie.

The Kiwi-born rider will arrive in Auckland on Saturday with a hot streak after he won another prestigious race in Hong Kong when he steered Voyage Bubble to the Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday for trainer Ricky Yiu.

It will be the first time McDonald will be back in his native land in almost five years and he is being greeted with some quality mounts, including two of the leading contenders in the respective TAB Karaka Millions races.

McDonald will partner the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Orchestral in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and thinks she will be the favourite over the current market leader Molly Bloom.

“She (Orchestral) will be the favourite, she is a quality horse,” McDonald told SENTrack.

“The only reason is that Molly Bloom has had a hectic schedule, she has been to the South Island, while my filly is third-up. She was impressive last start where she won with ease. She is in peak condition, and with Roger James training, I think she is the best of the lot.”

Orchestral is currently a $4.50 second favourite behind Molly Bloom at $3.30 before the barrier draw on Wednesday evening.

Orchestral, who was bought by her trainers for $625,000 from Haunui Farm’s 2022 Karaka Book 1 draft, was second to Lupo Solitario in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) last month before reversing the result on her rival at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day when winning their mile race by 2-1/2 lengths.

McDonald is also expected to do well in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), having secured the sought-after ride on the Stephen Marsh-trained Velocious.

The daughter of Written Tycoon is currently the favourite at $3.40 after her impressive start to her career, winning her first two races, including the Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m), before finishing in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day.

“She is doing great, her form is excellent,” McDonald said. “She had a good run around Pukekohe a few weeks ago. I get a text message from Stephen (Marsh, trainer) every week that she is in top form. I wouldn’t trade her for anything.”

Velocious was purchased by syndicator Go Racing for $190,000 from Inglewood Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft.

McDonald is also excited about riding on Ellerslie’s new StrathAyr track in front of a full house. “It looks good and a record crowd number too – 12,000,” he said."