James McDonald has ridden his first winner since returning from a six-week stint in England as he fights to retain his Sydney premiership.
The No.1 rider for Godolphin Australia, McDonald steered Alegria to victory in the Ladbrokes.com.au (1500m), with trainer John O'Shea admitting the filly was only at Rosehill to help the stable jockey win the title.
McDonald was on 88-1/2 winners for the season when left to ride for Godolphin in England over the northern hemisphere summer.
Instead of having a holiday, he came back to Sydney racing last Wednesday at Warwick Farm where he failed to ride a winner and was joined by Blake Shinn at the top of the table.
"She would have been in the paddock if not for James and the premiership," O'Shea said.
"She will go for a spell now and we'll take her through the grades in the spring."
Alegria ($3.20) was sent out favourite over Elle Lou ($3.30) and that was how they finished.
But McDonald had to use all his strength to get his mount past Elle Lou and win by a half neck.
McDonald admitted he had gone to England resigned to his nearest rivals - Shinn and Hugh Bowman - fighting out the premiership.
"I wasn't planning to come back," McDonald said.
"I didn't think I could win the premiership, but I'll give it a go now."