On The Punt: Best bets for Flemington on Saturday, March 29, 2025

News Corp form analyst Chris Vernuccio says a progressive stayer can win his way into the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Saturday.

News Corp form analyst Chris Vernuccio takes a look at the Australian Cup meeting at Flemington on Saturday.

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BEST BET

DEAKIN (Race 9 No.3): Deakin is a progressive stayer who dominated in his last-start win in the Torney Cup at The Valley in late February. The Phillip Stokes import has had a jumpout since where he cruised in the 1200m heat, and an inside barrier will allow him to either lead or settle outside the leader.

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NEXT BEST

ALABAMA LASS (Race 7 No.6): New Zealand sprint star Alabama Lass has twice placed in Group 1s and has won five of her eight starts, finishing runner-up in the other three. The three-year-old filly was narrowly beaten by Crocetti when first-up in the Group 1 Sistema Railway before thrashing her rival by 5½ lengths in the Group 3 Kings Plate next start.

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VALUE BET

ZARDOZI (Race 8 No.8): Zardozi was beaten as favourite in the Peter Young Stakes after giving Pride Of Jenni too much of a head start. The stable wouldn’t have wanted to overtax her with the Australian Cup the target, and she will get a better set up here with Pride Of Jenni to have Deny Knowledge for company up front.

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THE JOCKEY – DANIEL STACKHOUSE

EDEN ROSE (R3 No.2 – $5.50), ATHANATOS (R4 No.2 – $3.60), WINDSTORM (R5 No.7 – $12), OAK HILL (R6 No.12 – $9), SWEETHEARTED (R7 No.5 – $20), YOUNG WERTHER (R8 No.3 – $61), DEAKIN (R9 No.3 – $2.50), PRINZERRO (R10 No.14 – $14).

Originally published as On The Punt: Best bets for Flemington on Saturday, March 29, 2025