FORMER Wagga jockey Joel Maconachie is "as keen as mustard" for his return to race riding at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Saturday.

Maconachie will return from a six-month suspension when he takes the ride on Devious Fella in the Hartwigs-Case IH Agricultural Benchmark 55 Handicap (1400m) at the popular Aggies race day at Wagga.

Maconachie is now based at Albury and has been working for leading trainer Brett Cavanough for the past six weeks.

He was 67 kilograms when he started and is down to 61 kilograms for the ride on the Gino D'Altorio-trained top-weight on Saturday.

Maconachie, 26, said this moment had been a long time coming.

"I'm as keen as mustard," Maconachie said.

"I can't wait.

"I was excited just to ride in a trial last week."

Maconachie is currently available for rides at 59 kilograms or heavier.

He wants to drop the weight properly to ensure he can return eventually to 54kg.

"Last time I came back it fell off me, but that was closer to summer," he said.

"I don't want to waist too hard, I want to do it properly.

"I want to be able to get back to 54 and stay there.

"I'm just happy to be back in the saddle really. I've had no choice but to get fit at Brett's."

Maconachie said it would be a "dream" if he could return a winner in his first ride back.

Devious Fella has been a model of consistency for D'Altorio this preparation that has included wins at Wagga, Corowa and Narrandera.

He was third last start behind Street Ride and Chinzia in the Griffith Cup last Saturday.

Maconachie concedes he is a chance.

"He ran a good race in the cup the other day," he said.

"Brad Witt's horse, Inigo, will be hardest to beat, it's probably the class horse.

"Trev's horse Sir Ottavio will be thereabouts as well.

"I don't think we'll be too far away."