James McDonald capped his short-term Hong Kong contract with a four-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday, hailing a “brilliant” stint but acknowledging his role in Lyle Hewitson’s recent fall “threw a bit of a downer on the whole trip”.

McDonald was suspended for seven meetings and fined HK$60,000 after his ride aboard Swift Ascend on December 15 caused Joyful Hunter to come crashing down, with Hewitson remarkably escaping with only minor injuries.

“I’ve absolutely loved every minute of it except for last Sunday, it threw a bit of a downer on the whole trip but we loved it – it’s been brilliant,” said McDonald after saluting aboard Super Legends, Lady’s Choice, Divano and Johannes Brahms.

“[Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble] have been the highlights but I really enjoyed every meeting. Most meetings I got winners, so it was good.”

McDonald produced one of the more impressive short-term stints Hong Kong has seen, banging in 19 winners from 11 meetings including Group One and Group Two victories aboard Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble.

He charged up to fourth in the jockeys’ premiership despite having only 89 rides – 110 less than the second-placed Hugh Bowman, who sits on 26 victories.

He leaves sitting second in stakes winnings, sailing past HK$70 million on Sunday to close within HK$10 million of leader Zac Purton, who has had 149 more rides.

McDonald’s suspension will end in time for him to ride Voyage Bubble in the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) on January 19 and if trainer Pierre Ng Pang-chi has anything to do with it, the superstar Kiwi will also be in Hong Kong on January 31 to ride Johannes Brahms in the Classic Mile.

McDonald piloted the son of Siyouni to a half-length victory over Beauty Crescent in the Class Three Spruce Handicap (1,400m), the former Aidan O’Brien-trained galloper’s first Hong Kong success at start three.

“Finally he put it all together. It took us a bit of time. Last start he was a bit unlucky at the start and we got chopped off at the back, but he still finished off well,” Ng said after Johannes Brahms lugged 131 pounds to victory.

“He’s the kind of horse who will keep improving. For a northern hemisphere three-year-old to win a race carrying this weight is quite special.”

Johannes Brahms will now find himself on a rating in the low 80s and Ng wants to give his charge another run before the opening leg of the four-year-old series.

“I think he will have another run in the Class Two 1,400m [on January 12]. I think that run will be ideal to get him fitter heading into the Classic Mile,” said Ng.

“Hopefully a lightweight jockey like [Karis] Teetan or [Andrea] Atzeni can help me out with that and then looking forward to the Classic Mile, we’ll see if James is available.”

Another galloper who could find his way to the Classic Mile is Divano, who capitalised on a slow pace to win the Class Three Tulip Handicap (1,200m).

After travelling outside leader Harmony Fire, Divano took control in the straight and hung on to defeat the fast-finishing Lifeline Express by a head.

“The jockey told me he’s better at 1,200m and could even go 1,400m, but of course the owner wants to go to the four-year-old series,” said trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai after the victory.