Sydney's leading jockey James McDonald will continue his overseas sojourn when he rides Antiquarium in the Northumberland Plate.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old is a 16-1 chance in an open market for the STG150,000 ($A294,000) handicap at Newcastle on Saturday over two miles (3200m).

Godolphin's retained rider in Australia, McDonald has a healthy 25-1/2 win lead over Hugh Bowman in the Sydney premiership with 11 meetings remaining.

Bowman is planning to take a few weeks off before the end of the season on July 31.

Appleby said McDonald had ridden Antiquarium in a track gallop.

"James McDonald has ridden Antiquarium at home and seems to get on well with him, so he'll be taking the ride," Appleby told the Racing Post.

"He ran a nice race back after a break at Newmarket the other day and has form on synthetics, so we'd be hopeful granted a half-decent draw."

McDonald rode at last week's Royal Ascot meeting where he had two minor placings and also partnered Australian entrant Holler who was unplaced in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.