Eager punters put the TAB website under strain on Tuesday, betting over $10 million dollars on the Melbourne Cup.
In total, Kiwis placed a record 1.4 million bets on the Cup this year, about 400,000 more than last year.
TAB spokesperson Mark Stafford says the record was marked by one punter's particular fortune.
"One of the biggest collects of the day in a single bet was [when] someone had $12,000 dollars on the winner Almandin when it was paying $14 dollars, and their return was $168,000 dollars. Very happy customer."
Twenty five percent, or $2.5 million, of bets were placed on third place getter Hartnell, ridden by New Zealander James McDonald.
Almandin edged past Heartbreak City to win the race at Flemington, marking a record five victories for owner Lloyd Williams, a property developer and businessman who first won in 1981.
It was the second Cup win for Almandin jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who won on New Zealand horse Brew in 2000.
High interest meant the TAB website crashed occasionally, with a surge in online betting in the last 20 minutes.
"If you listened carefully you might have heard it squeaking at the seams," says Mr Stafford.
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