Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Tony Allan has ridden his first winner in more than a decade at Waverley in New Zealand.

The 50-year-old, who won the 1988 Melbourne Cup on Empire Rose, was successful aboard Mr Cool Boy on Thursday.

Allan battled alcohol and drugs issues following his famous win at Flemington and stopped race riding in 2005.

He spent the next 10 years as a track rider in Japan before a stint in Sydney with trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.

He returned home to New Zealand with the stated intention to take his career tally to 1000 and Thursday's win was No. 999.

"It's just nice to get the first one out of the way," Allan told NZ Racing Desk.

"I haven't had a lot of support to date, but it will come."