Australians punted almost $140 million on the Melbourne Cup won by Japanese raider Delta Blues.

But the figure of $138.8 million was down almost three per cent on last year's $143 million wagered on Makybe Diva's third Cup victory.

The most dramatic fall was in NSW, where punters shelled out $53.1 million, down five per cent on last year on the great race.

Punters in Victoria, the Cup's host state, bet $35 million on the race, down one per cent on 2005.

Spokeswoman for the TAB, Elise Sullivan, reported that while there was a slight fall in Cup betting this year, figures were up over the full day at Flemington.

"The turnover is up nine per cent across today's entire Flemington meeting," Sullivan said.

"While cup betting had a small drop, punters are betting more than ever over the whole day."

Victorians wagered a total of $62.23 million on the Flemington meeting while in NSW the outlay was $68.09 million.

Queensland, South Australia and Northern Territory punters outlayed $36 million worth of bets on the Cup.

A UNiTAB spokesman said South Australians pushed up the total bets from last year with a seven per cent increase in the state.

Queenslanders led the way for UNiTAB, splurging $25.5 million with South Australian punters investing $8.8 million and Northern Territorians $1.6 million.

Western Australia had a one per cent increase to $12.5 million while Tasmania gambled $2.3 million, up three per cent on last year.

Japanese horses Delta Blues and Pop Rock took out first and second places respectively, while local hope Maybe Better finished third.

The joint favourites at $6.00 were Pop Rock and Tawqeet, who finished 19th, followed by Yeats at $6.50 who finished seventh and then Maybe Better and Zipping at $10 who finished third and fourth respectively.

MELBOURNE CUP STATE BY STATE BETTING:

NSW: $53.1m

Vic: $35m

Qld: $25.5m

WA: $12.5m

SA: $8.8m

Tas: $2.3m

NT: $1.6m

TOTAL: $138.8m

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