JOHN Velazquez has won more prizemoney than any jockey in US racing history and today on the Gold Coast he has set himself to pinch a few Aussie dollars.
The Puerto Rico-born 44-year-old was inducted to the US Racing Hall of Fame in 2012 and two years later broke the earnings mark. 
Today he has rides on With Pride (Maiden), Black Jag (Trophy) and King's Troop (Sprint) in what marks his first trip to Australia and there seems little doubt he will return to our shores again.
"Are you kidding me? It's been great," he said.
"I'm definitely looking forward to riding. I'm very excited. "This is my first time and hopefully we get to win a race. Not just ride in a race, but win a race. That would be the best thing." In a signal he isn't just here for a holiday, Velazquez was given a look over the Gold Coast circuit by three-times Magic Millions winning jockey Chris Munce yesterday.
"It was very nice to take his time to guide me a little bit of the track. For a guy like him who has had so much success on this track, I really appreciate it," Velazquez said.
The jockey was brought to Australia with trainer Graham Motion to see the first crop of yearlings sell by Animal Kingdom, the horse the pair won the Kentucky Derby with.
That race is the one Velazquez rates highest.
"Everybody knows what the Kentucky Derby is," he said.
"So not winning it, and being so successful in my career, it was definitely missing.
"I will be proud (of the earnings record) the day I retire, maybe in a couple of years. Right now I don't pay attention to it. I've been very blessed in my career so far."One day when I retire, look back, it will be like 'I did something very nice' but it's not a thing I talk about."