It’s “the race that stops the nation” but for one lucky punter, this year’s Melbourne Cup might’ve been one that just about stopped their heart. At the very least, it changed their life.

A Ladbrokes customer has turned a $100 bet into a $3.2 million sweep after successfully picking the first four runners to cross the finish line at Flemington.

The customer, who has not been identified, picked Knight’s Choice (an $81 outsider to win the Cup), Warp Speed ($26), Okita Soushi ($19) and Zardozi ($14) in a remarkable wager.

Ladbrokes spokesperson Tom Hackett confirmed the “life-changing result”. He said the $3.2 million windfall was already in the customer’s account.

“The customer initially thought they had won $780,000, so you can imagine their surprise when the full dividend was revealed,” Mr Hackett told The Daily Telegraph.

Instead of the expected 100 per cent return of the first four dividend — which, with Ladbrokes, was set at $728,015.70 — the punter netted 416.66 per cent.

“It is a life-changing result and shows that anything can happen in the Melbourne Cup!”

Knight’s Choice edged out the competition in a thrilling photo finish.

Jockey Robbie Dolan has been widely praised for the perfectly timed run to nudge ahead of Warp Speed, which pounced late, and Okita Soushi, which faded at the death.

After the race Dolan said Knight’s Choice “proved a lot of people wrong” with his performance.

“He hit the line really well the other day and was unlucky not to place,” he said..

“I watched every Melbourne Cup far the last 40 years. I thought my best chance was to get him to stay the trip, and hopefully he can run home and do the quick sectionals, he can on a good track and he proved everybody wrong.

“I don’t really know what to say it’s unbelievable, I’m gonna cry again.

“It’s just incredible I decided to cut the corner once my horse spotted the gap he found another gear and he’s proved a lot of people wrong.”

Buckaroo was the firm favourite to win the Cup — but came a nondescript 9th place — ahead of Onesmoothoperator and Vauban (finishing 12th and 11th, respectively)

The long shot trifecta for the Melbourne Cup (11, 4, 12) paid $22,576.80 with Ladbrokes, while the quinella (11, 4) and exacta (11, 4) prices were $887.80 and $1986.80.