James McDonald back in action at Royal Randwick on Saturday

James McDonald will join an elite group when crowned champion Sydney jockey for the seventh time after Saturday's season-ending meeting at Royal Randwick.

McDonald is set to move alongside Darren Beadman in third on the all-time list, one premiership win behind Ron Quinton and three astern of the legendary George Moore.

All three of McDonald's predecessors are members of the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame.

"I'm feel very lucky to have my name mentioned alongside those three riders," McDonald said.

"They were all masters of the craft.

"Even aside from those wonderful riders, there are some great names on the Sydney jockeys' premiership honour roll and I feel very privileged to be on that list."

McDonald returned to action at Canterbury on Wednesday after taking a winter break and he said after a long season the chance to recharge the batteries was needed before he heads into the upcoming spring carnival.

"I haven't ridden in NSW for seven weeks," he said.

"I had basically ridden the past 12 months without a break.

"My body was handling the workload really well but mentally I was fried, very fatigued.

"We had a great time on holiday. We started in the UK then Katelyn and I went to Catalonia, Zakynthos, Symi and then Marmaris in Turkey.

"I needed to get away and I'm now very much refreshed."

While on holiday, Sydney's premier rider has been watching with interest the battle for apprentice riding honours between young guns Zac Lloyd and Dylan Gibbons.

Lloyd has ridden 75 winners this season, 19 less than McDonald and he heads into the last city meeting of the season with a three-win advantage over Gibbons.

"The battle between the two boys has been cool to watch," McDonald said.

"They have both ridden really, really well and they both deserve all the accolades that have come their way for their achievements this season.

"There will be no loser despite only one of them being crowned champion apprentice after Saturday."

This season will be memorable for a changing of the guard in the Sydney riding ranks.

With a handful of senior riders out of action, opportunities have been presented to the new generation of jockeys and they've grabbed their chances with open arm.

Lloyd, Gibbons and last season's champion apprentice Tyler Schiller have all had remarkable seasons, sitting second, third and fourth in the Sydney jockeys' premiership with a total of 208 winners between them while Reece Jones sits just outside the top 10 with 31 winners for 2022/23.

"They are a very talented group of young riders and importantly they are good people to boot," McDonald said.

"There's no riff raff in them and it's a pleasure to compete against them.

"It's been a long time since we've had so many apprentices riding regularly in Sydney.

"There's been as many as five and six over the past few months and I don't ever recall it being like that.

"I think a lot of their success has been feeding off one another and because guys like Zac, Dylan, Tyler and Reece have performed so well trainers have been chasing the services.

"Tell me the last time apprentices have finished second, third and fourth in a Sydney premiership.

"I'd be surprised if it's ever happened before so that tells you plenty about their skill set."

Heading into the new season McDonald is predicting it's the new crop of three-year-olds that will make people sit up and take notice.

He said it wasn't the "usual types" that won the juvenile Group 1s this season, which were largely dominated by the colts while the winter months have unearthed some exciting fillies.

"I reckon they are a very good batch," McDonald said.

"I know people say it every year, but I genuinely think they are different this year.

"The physical type of horse that won all the big Group 1s were not your small, sharp speedy types. They we're big, scopey horses that defied their physiques at two.

"I reckon there's a really good group of horses we are going to get to enjoy this spring.

"Go back to the autumn and the fillies couldn't get near the colts but late autumn and over the winter months there's been some outstanding prospects emerge and physically they will only get better.

"I think the crop will really stand up next season."

On Saturday, McDonald has six rides at Royal Randwick, and he identified a couple of his mounts that could be sharp improvers.

Both from the Chris Waller barn, Caballus contests the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1100m) and imported mare Mascaret which steps up sharply in trip for the ATC Thank You Staff Handicap (1800m).