Poised for another strike on Hong Kong, China’s rich races, champion jockey James McDonald arrives from Australia this week in career-equalling top form for the start of a seven-week riding stint in the Asian racing hub.

He arrives after signing off from the Melbourne Cup Carnival with a victory on champion mare Via Sistina, who mirrored what the pair achieved last year by winning back-to-back Group 1 victories in the W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) and the Champions Stakes (2000m).

A regular visitor to Hong Kong, McDonald is eyeing success in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on 10 December, and four days later, to ride Romantic Warrior to a record-breaking fourth successive HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) triumph at Sha Tin.

While Australia likes to claim the expatriate as their own, he is New Zealand born and bred and proud to represent his native country in the LONGINES IJC against a selection of the world’s best jockeys including Great Britain’s Ryan Moore (subject to fitness) and William Buick, last year’s winner Mickael Barzalona (France), Joao Moreira (Brazil), Christophe Lemaire (Japan) and Umberto Rispoli (United States of America). The international contingent, which includes female riders Rachel King (Australia) and Hollie Doyle (Great Britain), will also compete against three of Hong Kong, China’s top jockeys, headed by Zac Purton.

McDonald said he was excited to return to Hong Kong, China, where he has plenty to look forward to with his wife Katelyn and their two young daughters before returning to Sydney just before Christmas.

He said the LONGINES IJC was always a challenge because of the calibre of jockeys, and he hopes to improve on his third in 2014 and seconds in 2011, 2021 and 2024.

“It’s very good for my riding because there are such good riders there,” he said.

“It’s something to really look forward to and again it’s a great challenge because it’s so competitive and I always enjoy my time there.

“Not only is there great racing, but I’ve also got the legend of Romantic (Warrior) there, so I just can’t wait to see him first and foremost.

“Competing in the jockeys’ challenge is always a highlight of the year and then especially the international races in December.”

Asked if he thought Romantic Warrior, who is returning after undergoing fetlock surgery in May, had been okay in a recent 1600m turf trial at Sha Tin, when ridden by Hugh Bowman, McDonald said: “Better than okay, I would have thought.

“He is a flying and Danny (Shum) has done a fantastic job with him, and he has been complimentary, as has Hugh.

“I can’t wait, obviously.”

The 33-year-old said it was pretty much unheard of for a horse to chase four consecutive victories in a race like the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.

“It is just incredible how good he is,” he said. “Four in a row (in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup) would be lovely.”

Via Sistina’s second W.S. Cox Plate was McDonald’s fourth victory in the weight-for-age race, a feat only achieved by Bowman.

“It was an incredible feeling, very surreal,” McDonald said of the win.

“It was a different type of feeling than the other three, that’s for sure and what would only trump it would be a fourth Hong Kong Cup, so I am hoping that happens.”

McDonald is used to success in Hong Kong this year, winning all three legs of the Triple Crown – HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) with Voyage Bubble.

With 122 Group 1 victories, success in Hong Kong would allow McDonald to edge closer to retired jockey Damien Oliver’s Australian record of 129 wins at the elite level.