Michael Rodd reflects on Melbourne Cup memories

By Andrew Smith

Almost 20 years on from winning the Melbourne Cup, the emotion of the fairytale victory is still raw for Michael Rodd.

And the jockey believes the future looks promising for another Queensland-based hoop to take out the great race.

Rodd was a special guest at Racing Queensland this week to share his memories of winning the 2007 Melbourne Cup with Efficient, ahead of next week’s 2025 edition.

The 43-year-old jumped at the chance to take a trip down memory lane when recounting the experience of becoming a Cup-winning jockey.

“It’s something that you never forget, that's for sure - even as a rider that's ridden in the race, let alone being fortunate enough to win it,” Rodd said.

“There’s just so many memories that are attached to the race and that time, not only winning the race, but even away from the track, and celebrating with your friends.

“It was a busy time, there was a lot going on and it was hard to concentrate.

“You ride Cup Day on the Tuesday, then Oaks Day is a Thursday, so you've got Wednesday where you sit down and do your form for Oaks Day, but I couldn't concentrate after winning the Melbourne Cup.”

Rodd and the Graeme Rogerson-trained Efficient had mowed down Purple Moon and champion jockey Damien Oliver to take out the 2007 race by less than a length at Flemington.

The hoop remembers his rival Oliver immediately congratulating him post-race with some kind words and a pat on the back.

Even two decades on, there was a slight hint of emotion in Rodd’s voice as he recalled how his life changed in that instant, as well as the days, weeks and years that have followed.

“Just going over the line, and having that moment to yourself and pulling up on the horse knowing that you'd won the race was special,” Rodd said.

“You’ve won Australia's biggest horse race so it's very recognisable, and it's not only the race that stops the nation, it's now the race that stops the world.

“I took my time coming back, I really took it in and I was quite fatigued as well.

“But just sitting there on Efficient taking it in as he was looking out over the Maribyrnong River and into the city - just that moment there, that quiet moment was nice because after that, going back into the enclosure and back to see the owners - life changed at that moment.

“There's so much exposure – you’re everywhere and you're all over the news, your face has gone all around Australia.

“It's such a fortunate position to be in, and I get to come here and chat to you guys - it's opened a lot of doors, and I'm really lucky.”

2024 Cup winner Knight’s Choice was unfortunately ruled out of this year’s race after picking up a virus last month while at Victoria’s Macedon Lodge.

While the galloper will sadly not have a chance to go back-to-back, Queensland-based jockey Robbie Dolan will have an opportunity to defend his title on Royal Supremacy on Tuesday.

The Irishman has been booked to ride the gelding who took out the Group 1 The Metropolitan at Randwick earlier this month, before a fifth-placed finish in the Caulfield Cup.

Even if Dolan does not make it successive Cup victories, Rodd believes last year’s fairytale victory has already been worth its weight in gold for the next crop of young Queensland hoops.

“I think the big thing about Robbie winning the Melbourne Cup last year is that it's inspired a lot of kids and riders in the jockeys’ room now,” Rodd said.

“The up-and-coming riders coming through can see that Robbie did it from Queensland and from the jockeys’ room up here.

“So that gives them hope that one day that could be them as well, and I think Robbie's inspired another generation of riders.

“I think he can win this year - this horse’s (Royal Supremacy) form going into the cup this year is a lot stronger than Knight’s Choice in the previous year.”

Rodd completed his apprenticeship with the now retired Brian Guy on the Gold Coast as a youngster.

The 32-time Group 1-winning jockey moved back to Queensland during the COVID-19 pandemic after stints down south.

The veteran has not given up on one day returning to Flemington to ride in another Melbourne Cup.

“Yeah of course it's still a dream, it's something that you dream about getting back down there,” Rodd said.

“The whole week that leads into the Melbourne Cup is such a great experience, Melbourne really turns it on and that week at Flemington's fantastic.

“To be a part of that and also to have a ride would just be amazing, and it's tough from up here, especially if you're a heavyweight, but of course I'd love to go back down.”

For now, Rodd is content plying his trade for Gold Coast mentor Paul Shailer.

Having battled injury this year, he is still getting back into the swing of things after almost three months out with a hand injury.

The jockey is striking at 18% in the saddle and is keen to help Shailer’s stable continue to go from strength to strength.

“Paul's doing really well, he's got some great owners behind him and the results speak for themselves,” Rodd said.

“It's not just the young horses that he's winning with - it's also horses that he's getting from other trainers, he's breathing life into those ones as well, which isn't easy.

“He seems to have every base covered, he's got a great stable down there, and good facilities that he's working out of.”