Holly McKechnie has ridden her first city winner in six years on bush galloper Bonindi at Moonee Valley.With the help of Bonindi's trainer Darryl Dodson, the 27-year-old is rebuilding her career after a three-year ban from race riding and was at her best when lifting the five-year-old over the line in Saturday's Hiskens Cup (1514m).McKechnie's last city winner was You're Joking for Dodson at Moonee Valley in February 2004.In March this year she made her comeback to race riding after serving a di

Holly McKechnie has ridden her first city winner in six years on bush galloper Bonindi at Moonee Valley.

With the help of Bonindi's trainer Darryl Dodson, the 27-year-old is rebuilding her career after a three-year ban from race riding and was at her best when lifting the five-year-old over the line in Saturday's Hiskens Cup (1514m).

McKechnie's last city winner was You're Joking for Dodson at Moonee Valley in February 2004.

In March this year she made her comeback to race riding after serving a disqualification for the use of a an electric "jigger" to jolt horses to run faster.

Her partner, trainer Paul Preusker, was disqualified for four years for his part in what Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board chairman Judge Russell Lewis described as an "inherently cruel" and "abhorrent" act.

McKechnie has worked hard to put that chapter of her life behind her and convince people of her love for horses.

Dodson has never needed convincing.

"Holly has been a great supporter of me," Dodson, who trains at Telopea Downs in the northwest corner of Victoria, said.

At least once a week McKechnie leaves her Horsham home for the two-hour trip to Telopea Downs to ride trackwork for Dodson.

"I try to get there a couple of times a week," McKechnie said.

"He's incredibly loyal and really looks after me."

Bonindi has made the five-hour float trip to Moonee Valley eight times and has rarely run a bad race on the track.

His only Valley win before Saturday was over 1514 metres in February last year but on four occasions he has finished second, twice beaten narrowly.

"He keeps running into one having its day," Dodson said.

On Saturday it appeared he would again have to settle for a minor prize when Streetfighter challenged strongly in the last 150 metres but McKechnie got the best out of her brave mount and prevailed by a short head.

Macedonian was a fast-finishing third another 1-1/4 lengths away third.

"He is probably not the world's greatest talent but he's the world's greatest trier," Dodson said of Bonindi who has won eight of his 43 starts.

"He just fights, especially if something comes up beside him.

"He will dig in and have a go."

Dodson said his hopes were now to open up the options for Bonindi and look for a 2000-metre race later this campaign.

"In this sort of company he is competitive and we might just set him up over a little further on wet ground," he said.