The two-time Golden Slipper-winning jockey announced on Thursday that he is returning to Sydney primarily for family reasons.

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Berry has had a mixed season in Hong Kong with 16 winners but he did ride a treble, including the Group 1 Champion and Chaters Cup on Pakistan Star, last month.

“Sharnee and I have three kids under four and it hasn’t been easy for them settling into life in Hong Kong,’’ Berry said.

“My family’s happiness is more important to me than anything else and Sharnee and I feel it is best for the kids to go back home where we have family and friends around us.’’

Berry said he has enjoyed riding in Hong Kong but admitted he prefers Sydney racing where the workload is more intense.

“I’m riding at two meetings a week in Hong Kong and I probably get about 12-14 rides on average each week,’’ he said. “I love riding and I enjoy hard work. In Sydney I can ride four or five times a week which suits me.’’

Berry will continue riding in Hong Kong until the end of the season before taking a short holiday with his family.

“I’m planning to be back riding in Sydney by August,’’ he said.

Berry’s announcement came the same day as Hong Kong’s reigning champion jockey Joao Moreira plans to move to Japan next season.

Moreira has been in Hong Kong for five years, winning the last three premierships and he retains a one-win lead over Zac Purton for the title with 10 meetings remaining this season.

# JOCKEY Mathew Cahill sustained a hand injury after a fall at Wellington on Thursday and has had to relinquish four rides at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Kayla Nisbet is the new rider for Perizada in the Listed $150,000 June Stakes (1100m), while Jeff Penza replaces Cahill on Got Nothing in the TAB Highway (1100m).

New jockeys will have to be found for Richard Of Yorke in the Stayer’s Cup (3200m) and Viceroy in the Australian Turf Club Sprint (1200m).

Trainer Angela Davies is also likely to be needing a new rider for Machinegun Jubs in the June Stakes. Apprentice Jean Van Overmeire was also declared as the rider for first emergency Oriental Runner in the feature sprint and now that horse has gained a start, Davies will require a replacement for Machinegun Jubs.

Jay Ford is also double-booked in the June Stakes after being declared as rider of Le Cordon Bleu and second emergency Once More A Lady.

If Once More A Lady does secure a start, stewards have ordered Ford must ride that mare meaning Team Hawkes need a new jockey for Le Cordon Bleu.