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Melbourne jockey James Winks is certainly not missing home and the freezing cold if his current red-hot form in Mauritius is anything to go by.

Winks, who has been plying his trade on the Indian Ocean island since July, rode a double – his second following his debut double - at Champ de Mars on Saturday to bring his tally to seven wins from 39 rides for a very decent strike rate of 17.9%.

Winks was rapt with his two winners, favourites Sir Earl Grey and Kentucky Bluegrass, though deep down, he had been hoping for an even better haul given his three other rides, The Tripster, Moi Power and Jullidar were all in the market.

“To be honest, I was expecting a good day at the office. I made The Tripster my best ride of the day, but he was disappointing and ran fourth, hopefully he can bounce back,” he said.

“But Sir Earl Grey did not let me down. He’s a very nice horse on the way up while the other winner Kentucky Bluegrass is consistent in his class and duly won.

“My trainer Patrick Merven is doing a fantastic job with his horses and both him and the owners have been very good to me. We have a solid team of horses and the stable should be finishing off the season better than it began.”

Winks, who has brought his young family to Mauritius, is looking forward to staying right through the remaining season which ends on November 26. The island’s “Melbourne Cup”, the oddly-named Group 1 Maiden Cup (2400m) will be held this Sunday, with Winks’ stable expected to run a longshot, Greys Inn Control.

“He’s a recent stable transfer and we’re just starting to get to know him, but I think he has a big task ahead in the big race,” said Winks.

After fellow Melbourne riders Noel Callow and Stephen Baster,and Perth hoop Peter Hall all left after a shortlived stay in Mauritius this season, Winks is currently the only Australian jockey in the Champ de Mars riding ranks, which has been dominated from Day 1 by young South African rider Donavan Mansour, who racked up another four-timer on Saturday.

But Winks will soon be joined by Perth jockey Ben Kennedy who has been drafted in by the leading Gujadhur stable to replace New Zealander David Walsh. The veteran jockey is leaving after only one meeting due to health issues.