The tough Kiwi was paying 50/1 when he turned up for the Cup and silenced the crowd

On the first Tuesday in November, an event takes place that evokes deep emotions and an atmosphere of grandeur comparable to only the most prestigious sporting occasions. The 1960 Melbourne Cup held at Flemington marked a significant milestone as the 100th running of this famous race. Two nations captivated by a rich racing history pause for three minutes to witness one equine athlete become a champion. The Melbourne Cup has seen fortunes won and lost, gallant horses beaten and game horses victorious against big odds. In a surprising turn of events, the Centenary Melbourne Cup witnessed an unexpected victory by a relatively unknown five-year-old mare from New Zealand. As an outsider, Hi Jinx was at 50/1 odds, and pocketed the prize money that had been raised by £10,000 from the previous year. In Archer's day the prizemoney was £710. A hundred years later for the Centenary Cup, first-prize money was worth £18,000.

Hi Jinx was bred by the estate of C.J Casey Snr and foaled at Trelawney Stud, Cambridge. She was sired by the non-winner, but good sire, Pride of Kildare (IRE). Her dam was the Great Northern Oaks winner, Lady's Bridge by the leading sire, Foxbridge (GB) out of Miss Ridicule. Pride of Kildare was imported into New Zealand by Seton Otway and sired 15 individual stakes-winners that won 36 stakes races before he was exported to Japan. Hi Jinx was a half-sister to Erin's Bridge (dam of the stakes-winner, Marchere). Hi Jinx was trained by her part owner, Trevor Knowles at Te Rapa.

Her record was undistinguished prior to going to Australia. There she was unplaced in the Caulfield Cup before running second in the Moonee Valley Cup behind Mac, then proceeded on to Flemington for the big one. The racecourse was given a major makeover to mark the occasion. The Number One saddle cloth was to be worn by the all-conquering Tulloch who was backed into 3-1 favouritism despite his massive weight of 10st.1lb (64kg). The £25,000 stakes was £10,000 more than the previous highest, along with the £750 gold trophy. The crowd was at 100,000 for the first time, and in New South Wales a million viewers watched the first direct telecast via a 46-minute television broadcast - the first time ever attempted.

It was a huge day for Trelawney Stud who had bred Tulloch in partnership with high profile Cambridge identity Dave Blackie, but it was another horse from the farm that won that day. Despite all the Tulloch-hype around him, Trevor Knowles, trainer of Hi-Jinx, was quietly confident and placed bets on his mare at odds of 80-1. He was well aware of her fitness levels, her stamina and the fact she was only carrying 7st 10lb (49kg). The horse was wearing saddlecloth 16, left from barrier 6 in a field of 32 starters. Jockey W.A (Bill Smith) unleashed Hi-Jinx on the turn who won a hectic three-way finish and led home an all-Kiwi trained result. The crowd hardly believed their eyes as Tulloch battled home to finish seventh, the only time in his incredible career he didn't run a place.

Hi-Jinx made 575 guineas as a yearling and was raced by Knowles in partnership with Manawatu farming friend R.K. Sly. Knowles eventually relocated to the Waikato and established Centennial Stud near Te Rapa and became an active member of the Waikato Racing Club committee.

Placings: 1st Place Hi Jinx, 2nd Howsie, 3rd lumquh

Jockeys: W. A. Smith

Trainers: T. H. Knowles

Winner’s Time: 3:23.75

Weight: 48.99kg

Odds: 50/1

Prize money: £25 750