I grew up in the UK watching the great Lester Piggott on television.

As a young boy, my ambition was to become a jockey just like my idol, who regularly reminded us of his great skill in the saddle by winning some of the world's biggest races.

My passion for racing grew as I saw horses such as Nijinsky and Mill Reef become sporting legends on our television screens.

Lester was just a few weeks away from his 55th birthday when he registered a landmark victory on Royal Academy in the 1990 Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park, New York.

I think that ride has been an inspiration to all jockeys, who are still riding in their fifties. It was a fantastic performance that will never be forgotten.

I am now 55, yet I feel as good and strong as I was 20 years ago. Once you have the ability as a rider, you don't lose it.

But it is convincing the others that you've still got it that becomes the important thing.

Lester always had great confidence in himself, and I am the same way. He also had people, such as Vincent O'Brien, who believed in him.

I won the Brisbane jockeys' championship last season, and recently I rode seven winners in a day at a metro meeting at the Sunshine Coast. It was the fourth time in my career that I have ridden seven in a day.

It's a funny thing, when you are on a roll, it seems to get easier. The horses feel your confidence. It's like Frankie Dettori when he rode his 'Magnificent Seven' at Ascot (in September 1996).

I am really looking forward to the Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast this Saturday. I have ridden at the meeting once before, and I didn't have a great book, to be frank.

I have limited myself to six rides on Saturday. It is going to be very, very hot, and I have chosen to concentrate on the best races.

Winning Rupert in the MM 3yo Guineas has a very good chance. He's five from five, and if he gets the 1,400m, he will be very hard to beat.

I ride Houtzen in the MM 2yo Classic, but having drawn the outside in 21, she will have to make history to win. It's never been done before from out there.

And my ride for Godolphin, Kinshachi in the MM Fillies and Mares, should also run well. She's drawn the inside and will have the blinkers on this time, which should be a help. She was a bit wayward when I won on her at Eagle Farm last time.

I would like to ride for another two or three years, just long enough to help my boys get started as jockeys. More immediately, I would like to win one of the big Magic Millions races.

Much-travelled JEFF LLOYD was six-time South African champion jockey before emigrating to Australia in 2008. Lloyd, 55, is the reigning Brisbane champion and currently holds a lead of 33 wins over his nearest rival this season.