A winning double at Rosehill to James McDonald has put him in the box seat again to win the Sydney jockeys' premiership.

After starting the day level with Blake Shinn, McDonald ended Saturday on 90-1/2 with Shinn staying in touch with one winner.

Hugh Bowman also rode a winner but remains 1-1/2 behind Shinn.

For McDonald, the premiership would be a bonus after he thought he had relinquished his title defence by spending six weeks in England.

But when he returned this week, he was still in front and, with the backing of Godolphin, will do what he can to retain the premiership.

"It's good to be back and good to be riding winners," McDonald said. ,

"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."

The TAB shortened McDonald from $2.10 to $1.90 after the Rosehill meeting, with Shinn steady at $2.80 and Bowman drifting from $3.80 to $4.60.