THE
1994 CUP LOW RES
(Mark Wilson/Fairfax Images)
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The Melbourne Cup has countless special stories in Australian sporting history. The 1994 edition of the race is one of these, marked by the unexpected victory of Jeune, a horse many had written off, and the jubilation of jockey Wayne Harris, who seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
By Celia Purdey
J
eune, the striking chestnut son of Kalaglow, etched his name into Australian racing history with a powerful and unexpected victory in the 1994 Melbourne Cup. Originally trained in the UK, Jeune had already made a mark with wins like the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, but it was under the guidance of David Hayes that his potential truly flourished. The 1994 Melbourne Cup was run in damp conditions for the third consecutive year, with the famous Flemington rails obscured by a sea of umbrellas. Jeune, owned by Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Racing, was not considered a top contender at 16/1 odds. Many jockeys, including first-choice Shane Dye, had passed on the ride, doubting the horse’s ability to handle the two-mile distance. Wayne Harris, however, was eager for a chance, having battled back to the saddle after a brain tumour threatened to end his career. Harris, who referred to himself as ‘Johnnyon-the-spot’, was the one who ultimately took the reins. “I only picked up the ride on the Saturday night when the barrier draw was done,” he recalled. “Two or three jockeys knocked it back.” Despite Jeune’s reputation for being hard to handle, Harris managed to keep the horse relaxed throughout the race, travelling comfortably midfield. As the field turned for home, Jeune surged forward. Harris found himself in an unexpected position – at the front, far earlier than planned. “My God,