The running of the Melbourne Cup brings out the party spirit in everyone from the serious turf enthusiast to the once-a-year punter.

And, according to TAB manager Michelle Allen, everybody’s got a system.

“So far people have been using birthdays, horse colour, overseas horses, their mother’s favourite number,” she said.

“There are even a number of websites devoted to Melbourne Cup history with reasons why each horse will win and just as many reasons why they won’t.”

Across NSW the total Melbourne Cup day spending is expected to top $100 million.

It is anticipated at least $15 million will be placed on the Melbourne Cup alone.

Ms Allen said on average most people will spend about $12 on their Melbourne Cup flutter.

“That’s a lot of fluttering going on,” she said.

However, she said staff at Bathurst TAB are gearing up to make everything as easy as possible today with staff on hand to help the once a year punter place their bets.

“The only thing we won’t be able to do is pick the winner for them,” she laughed.

The TAB will also be offering mystery tickets that take the work out of picking a winner by getting the computer to choose a horse for them, and is also offering sweeps.

Ms Allen said this is her first Melbourne Cup as manager of the TAB.

“I’m as excited as a little pig in mud,” she said.

“It’s the biggest day of the year - nothing rivals the Melbourne Cup.”

The TAB is open from 7.30am.