On The Punt: $12 value bet for New Year’s Day 2025 racing at Flemington on Wednesday

Form analyst Xavier Pegum reveals his best bets, value selection and jockey to follow for Wednesday’s eight-race card at Flemington.

Big Me, pictured winning at Bendigo on December 3, is Xavier Pegum’s best bet at Flemington on New Year’s Day. Picture: Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

Form analyst Xavier Pegum reveals his best bets, value selection and jockey to follow for Wednesday’s eight-race card at Flemington.

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BEST BET
BIG ME (Race 8 No.4 – $3.80): Got a nice win under his belt to start his prep and a second placing at Moonee Valley where he didn’t get much of a look down the straight. Third-up on Wednesday, he should thrive down the Flemington straight. No doubt connections will celebrate accordingly if he’s able to get the result.

NEXT BEST
INTERPRETATION (Race 6 No.3 – $7.50): He’s had a solid prep, with a second in the Geelong Cup and a third attempt at the race that stops the nation. Drops in grade here and proven at the trip. The start on Wednesday will serve him well before he crosses the ditch to compete in some of New Zealand’s staying tests.

BOTH SIDES NOW (Race 5 No.6 – $3.10): Nice win at Moonee Valley last start. An in-form Jett Stanley takes the ride and an inside draw will make life a little bit easier. Step up in trip shouldn’t be too much to handle – if anything, I think it’ll be her sweet spot in distance.

BEST VALUE
ZOURAIN (Race 1 No.3 – $12): Back 100m in trip after his win at Moonee Valley where he outclassed the field and cantered home. A $2.80 place quote should give punters plenty of incentive to have an each-way to start their day.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
BLAKE SHINN
He’s one of the best jockeys in the game and he’s got a great book of rides sees with plenty of potential winners. DOM (Race 1 No.1 – $2.60), DREAM ALL DAY (Race 2 No.6 – $1.80), APPARATUS (Race 3 No.4 – $4.20), MUNHAMEK (Race 4 No.1 – $18), DREAMS COME TRUE (Race 5 No.11 – $7), MURAMASA (Race 6 No.1 – $3), COTTON TREE (Race 7 No.11 – $3.80), BIG ME (Race 8 No.4 – $3.80).

Originally published as On The Punt: $12 value bet for New Year’s Day 2025 racing at Flemington on Wednesday