Takeover Target's jockey Jay Ford has picked up seven Rosehill rides for his return to a full-time Australian career on Saturday.Internationally experienced because of his association with wonder sprinter Takeover Target, Ford cut short a Singapore stint which netted just six winners and ended on a modest note with one unplaced ride at Kranji on Sunday.He couldn't have picked a better week to return to Sydney with a jockey shortage caused by suspensions, injuries and Magic Millions commitments.C

Takeover Target's jockey Jay Ford has picked up seven Rosehill rides for his return to a full-time Australian career on Saturday.

Internationally experienced because of his association with wonder sprinter Takeover Target, Ford cut short a Singapore stint which netted just six winners and ended on a modest note with one unplaced ride at Kranji on Sunday.

He couldn't have picked a better week to return to Sydney with a jockey shortage caused by suspensions, injuries and Magic Millions commitments.

Corey Brown, Danny Nikolic, Larry and Jim Cassidy, Glyn Schofield and Peter Wells are all riding at the rich Magic Millions meeting, leaving Sydney's senior ranks in a depleted state.

But Ford's decision comes at a time when there have been two high profile defections from the city's riding ranks.

Glen Boss quit Sydney to move to Melbourne and last week Larry Cassidy announced he would be shifting to Queensland later this month.

Both jockeys struggled for Sydney rides after returning from overseas stints.

"It's tough here at the moment with a lot of good jockeys in the ranks," Ford said.

"Plenty of jockeys are with the big stables and that makes it hard to get rides but I'll keep chipping away and working hard."

And Takeover Target remains at the forefront of his 2009 plans despite some concerns age might be catching up with one of the world's best racehorses.

"When I rode him in Perth he felt the best he has in 12 months, he was so bright and fresh," Ford said.

"He never started racing until he was a late four-year-old and is lightly raced and despite a lot of travelling, his career could be prolonged because he hasn't raced much."

Ford has two mounts for Rosehill trainer Chris Waller on Saturday, including Altered Boy, a strong chance in the opening race.

Also among his book are rides for Randwick trainers Anthony Cummings and Les Bridge as well as Warwick Farm's Gary Portelli.

"I pretty much just got homesick and struggled to adjust to the different lifestyle over there (in Singapore)," Ford said."

"The racing side of it was good and on the whole provided me with a good experience."

"I lasted four months and decided that it wasn't for me."

"I was starting to get very limited opportunities in the end and that helped make the decision to come home."

The Rosehill meeting will also mark a return to riding for high profile apprentice Mitchell Beadman.

It will be Beadman's first time in the saddle since having his indentures transferred to Waller.

Track manager Lindsay Murphy says he expects a good rating declared for Rosehill after acceptances on Thursday will hold.

"We haven't had any rain and the forecast is for fine weather," he said.