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Say From SA: Morphettville Parks – Saturday, 2nd December 2023

Analysis and suggested bets for 10-race card at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.

SHOOTOOSE winning the Silks Cranbourne Maiden Plate in Cranbourne, Australia.
SHOOTOOSE winning the Silks Cranbourne Maiden Plate in Cranbourne, Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

With Finals Day in the rearview mirror, we jump on to the Parks track for a quieter day of racing where I think an up-and-coming training duo look set for a big weekend.

Currently sitting 10th on this season's South Australian Trainer's Premiership, the newly formed partnership of Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor are shouldering a commendable 16% strike rate from their 58 starters and head into Saturday a big chance of improving that record, with both of our plays for this weekend hailing from their stable.

The first of the parntership's main chances on Saturday comes in race five (5) where I'm confident Shootoose can build upon his impressive last start victory and get the job done for us as this week's best bet.

Contesting his first 21 starts back in Victoria under the care of Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra, Shootoose has hit the ground running since heading across the border and into the Bain & Taylor camp.

An eye-catching placegetter first up in his stable debut, Shootoose produced a career peak (86) at just his second start under his new trainers, as he lengthened impressively up the inside to salute at Morphettville a fortnight ago.

Perhaps tackling a slightly deeper field this time, the rating of his last start win suggests he's not required to improve to again be a major player, but the way Shootoose put away his rivals last start suggested there's a bit more under the bonnet.

Drawn slightly sticky (8), I expect Jacob Opperman to be conservative from the barrier but ultimately prove too strong for them in the run home and produce a new peak.

As for our best value play of the day, we again put our trust in team Bain & Taylor as we head to race nine (9) where I think Navy Gold can run a bold race.

Only lightly raced, the three-year-old wasted no time in hitting the winner's board when letting rip down the outside on debut at Naracoorte to record a barnstorming win.

Set a similar task last start at Murray Bridge, the son of U S Navy Flag once again picked up nicely in the run home but just peaked late to finish third.

Drawn less than favourable again (12), it's safe to assume similar tactics will be employed but with the added fitness and the reunification of winning hoop Dom Tourneur, I'm confident Navy Gold will be able to make his presence heavily felt over the concluding stages.

Say From SA

Best: Race 5 #6 Shootoose @ $5.50

Best each way: Race 9 #12 Navy Gold @ $10/3.25