Michael Rodd walks down Doomben 10,000 memory lane

By Jordan Gerrans

Champion hoop Michael Rodd took a walk down memory lane on a couple of fronts this week. 

The Melbourne Cup-winning rider spoke to the next generation of apprentice jockeys in the Sunshine State on Monday in a special mentoring session for the talented up-and-coming crop. 

And, on Saturday, he will return to Doomben on 10,000 day, which was the scene of one of his greatest victories in the saddle in Queensland.

The 43-year-old is a key part of the last ‘local team’ to win Doomben’s prized sprint. 

He did so with premier conditioner Tony Gollan and Spirit Of Boom back in 2014.

“They are fantastic,” Rodd said when asked what his memories are of that occasion.

“Not just the Doomben 10,000 memories but any from the winter carnival and the lead-up, it is always very special.

“Being an apprentice up in Queensland, they were always the races you strived to win.

“I was fortunate enough to win the Doomben 10,000 many moons ago and I am really fortunate to win it because it is not an easy race to win, being a Weight For Age race.”

Gollan famously ran one-two in the Doomben 10,000 that year, with fellow gun stablemate Temple Of Boom less than a length behind.

At the time of the 2014 carnival, Rodd was Melbourne-based but returned to Brisbane for the big ones.

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

“A win like that is very special,” he said.

“Between the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke, either of those races I would have loved to win when I was coming through as an apprentice and thankfully enough, I did win the 10,000.

“Doomben was where I rode my first city winner, so it was very special to be able to win a Group 1 there, as well.”

In the 2025 edition of the Doomben 10,000 on Saturday, Rodd does not have a ride to replicate his feats of just over a decade ago.

But, he does have an opportunity to snare another black-type triumph later in the program.

He will partner Deep Focus for Gold Coast mentor Paul Shailer in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate over 2000 metres.

The chestnut colt has been placed on three occasions since breaking his maiden status on his home track in the middle of February.

As of Friday afternoon, Deep Focus is a $41 chance with the bookmakers.

On Monday at Deagon, Rodd spoke to Queensland’s apprentice jockeys in regard to handling interviews and on-camera moments alongside Channel 9 weather presenter Garry Youngberry.

Garry is the father of apprentice hoop Bella Youngberry.

It was a full circle moment of sorts for Rodd who recalls former high level hoop Alan Russell speaking to his apprentice class when he was coming through the ranks.

Rodd also noted that when he was an apprentice he looked up to multiple Group 1-winning jockey Michael Cahill who now works for Racing Queensland as an apprentice jockey coach.

“I gave them some insight about how to manage the media and also in interviews, how to be presentable,” the champion hoop said of his discussion with the young riders.

“Obviously, the first impressions do count for people watching in from home or wherever.

“There are potential owners and trainers out there watching you and they want to get a good look at you and see how you look.

“It is surreal to come back and speak to them because I was listening in a group like this when I was an apprentice back in about 2002.

“It is great to come back and do it and if they can get something out of it, it is a good result.”