The TAB is reporting not only a record turnover of bets on this year's Melbourne Cup but a payout of $7.4 million. That's more than the $7 million won by punters last year.
French-trained horse Americain won the 150th running of the great race in the final stretch, beating pre-race favourite So You Think.
TAB racing manager Michael Dore says one of the day's biggest winners bet $5000 on Americain to win - and won $55,000.
Mr Dore says the Melbourne Cup attracts many people who wouldn't normally bet on a horse race.
The winning jockey, Gerald Mosse, believes the Flemington feature is now on the must-win list of every international jockey.
Mosse, a Frenchman based in Hong Kong, said the enthusiasim of the massive crowd created an atmosphere such as he's never seen anywhere else in the world.
Mosse was fined $A300 for making a celebratory gesture before Americain reached the winning post: he told the stewards that he blew a kiss to the crowd to thank them for coming on such a wet day.
So You Think's trainer Bart Cummings, winner of 12 Cups, says the horse ran a good race but he can't take anything away from the winner.
