It has been five years since Jeff Lloyd last won a decent race in Sydney.

But it’s only has been mere months since he dared imagine he’d ride in one again.

Much has happened since Lloyd took out the 2009 Listed Carrington Stakes at Randwick.

He relocated to Hong Kong for three years, returned to Australia, found a new home in Queensland and made an immediate impact to win the 2012 Group One Tatt’s Tiara.

Then last year, everything changed.

Lloyd suffered a stroke which affected the movement on his left side.

It improved with treatment but at 52, Lloyd faced an uphill battle to return to riding.

Despite the odds his desire remained, so he contacted David Payne who agreed to give him a chance in Sydney.

Three months on they are poised to join the race for spring riches with Bold Circle in Saturday’s Listed The Rosebud (1200m) at Randwick.

Lloyd says he is feeling fit and ready for the challenge.

“My health has been good. It’s very competitive here, of course. There are a lot of great riders and strong stables but I’m enjoying it,” Lloyd said.

It is the country’s biggest racing operation that looms as a major hurdle in The Rosebud.

Boom colt Sarajevo, a winner of his only start in April, will be John O’Shea’s first stakes runner under the Godolphin banner with James McDonald to ride.

“They’ve always had a good opinion of the colt, hopefully he will live up to it,” McDonald said.