Two Big Names Ready To Return To Racing In Sydney

Berry and McDonald set for racing return

Berry and McDonald are set to return just in time for the big Spring races with McDonald returning from a broken foot he sustained last month while Berry returns to the saddle having been suspended since January for improper dealings with a third party.

Both jockeys are chomping at the bit to return to the race track with the pair taking rides at Rosehill Gardens on Wednesday ahead of a Group One return at Randwick in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday.

McDonald rode at Hawkesbury trials on Monday and is chasing further Group One success on Chris Waller rides Going Global in the $1.5m The TAB Epsom and Unique Ambition in the $750,000 Darley Flight Stakes.

He still sits atop the Sydney Jockey’s Premiership with Nash Rawiller despite being out of action for over a month. 

"There is never a good time to get injured and the month out has been costly for me,'' McDonald said. 

"But I've been doing plenty of walking in the last week or so, my foot is fine and I'm looking forward to getting back to races.''

Berry has been away from the saddle for a longer period of time, revealing his weight ballooned to 70kg and had to strip 14kgs in the past 3 months.

"It was the heaviest I have ever been,'' Berry said.

"But I gave myself plenty of time to get the weight off. I've trained really hard every day and I've been back riding trackwork for 10 weeks which has helped a lot as well.''

Berry revealed he had been doing a personal training session for an hour a day before running in sweat gear for 12km to burn the weight off.

"It's been tough but enjoyable because you see the results of your hard work,'' Berry said.

"My wife, Sharnee, has been doing the personal trainer sessions with me four days a week so it's given us time together doing something we both enjoy.

"I also went over to Phuket with Hugh Bowman and John O'Shea for eight days to do a bootcamp over there and that knocked a fair bit of weight off as well.

"I knew I was going to come back this week so I've used that time wisely to get myself fit and I feel great.''

Berry, has a feature ride on Everest hopeful Mazu on Saturday in the Group 2 $1m Premiere Stakes over 1200m. 

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