Racing: Refreshed Johnson back to business today

Danielle Johnson.

Globetrotting jockey Danielle Johnson will make a low key return to domestic business today with two rides at Tauranga.

She has recently returned from a European trip that combined business with pleasure and after competing in a female jockeys' series in Sweden she holidayed in England, France and Italy with her partner, Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh.

"I felt like I needed a little break. I'm raring to go to ride some winners," Johnson said. The 25-year-old will partner Marsh's two runners at Tauranga " On The Move in the Bayleys Real Estate 1200 and Moneybox in the Capital Tractors 1400.

On The Move showed promise last season and in a handful of starts she placed behind the listed Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng and finished fourth in the listed Murdoch Newell Stakes.

Moneybox is also lightly-tried with a win from her seven appearances and with two recent outings she should see her strip at peak.

Johnson has yet to settle on her mounts for the upcoming Triple Crown series at Hastings and yesterday she trialled the Hawke's Bay contender and Eight Carat Classic winner Capella at Te Teko. They finished an encouraging third in a 1000 metre heat. "It was a lovely trial," trainer Danica Guy said.

"She was a little bit slow out of the gates and Danielle took her to the outside and she found the line nicely," Guy said.

"The feedback from Danielle was positive and she'll run first-up in the Makfi at the end of the month."

On Saturday, Johnson will partner the group one Herbie Dyke Stakes winner Valley Girl when she resumes at Ruakaka.

- NZ Racing Desk