First-starter Barghest stunned both punters and his stable by winning the Guinness Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1100m) at Morphettville last Saturday. 
Damien Moyle, who trains the Fierce Impact gelding in partnership with Gordon Richards, described the win as “a bit of a shock”.
Apparently at least one punter gave Barghest some sort of chance, as he firmed back in to start at $41 after easing to $51 at the start of betting. The only runner in the 12-horse field to start at a longer price was Barghest’s stablemate Blazing Missile ($51), who was also on debut.
In fact, Moyle said the stable had considered sending both three-year-olds to the Mindarie-Halidon trials two days earlier before deciding to roll the dice at the races.
The decision paid off. Blazing Missile was far from disgraced in running seventh while Barghest produced a withering final burst from the back half of the field under stable apprentice Isaac Sit to get the money by just over a length from Farnace ($26) and Tikkamos ($15). The trifecta paid $5626.80 on the local tote.
Moyle said Sit had described Barghest, a $27,000 buy at the Adelaide Magic Millions yearling sales of 2025, as “a bit nuts”.
Nuts or not, he’s already more than covered his purchase price, earning $48,420 including a Racing Rewards SA bonus for Saturday’s win.
Barghest is a half-brother to five-year-old stablemate Mesrour, a winner of two metro sprints.
One again
Another astute buy from the Adelaide sales to impress at the Morphettville meeting was The Cosmic One ($3.60), who led throughout under Ben Price to take the Urban Environs Group Handicap (1200m) by 1½ lengths.
Purchased for $22,500 at the 2023 sales and trained at Nangkita by Travis Doudle, the five-year-old was completing a hat-trick of August wins and taking his overall record to seven starts for five wins, a third and $157,170 in earnings.
Welcome back, Joe
Victorian-based SA expat Joe Bowditch returned to where it all began to land a double at the Morphettville meeting.
Riding for Oakbank trainer Claudette Rose, Bowditch brought up his first winner when Retourne ($26) came from midfield to take out the benchmark 78 Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap (2500m).
The 12-year-old evergreen Nicajon ($3.50 favourite) presented Bowditch with the second leg of his double, taking the benchmark 78 Hindmarsh Plumbing Handicap (1600m). 
Prepared by Michael Shepherdson at Geelong, Nicajon was slow to begin but took advantage of a gap late in the race to score convincingly.
Facing compulsory retirement at the end of 2026/27, Nicajon has the admirable record of 73 starts for nine wins, 21 minor placings and $362,435 in earnings. He began his career in Victoria’s Western District with veteran trainer Quinton Scott.
A couple for Connor
Connor Murtagh shared the riding honours with Bowditch at Morphettville, kicking off his double with From The Block ($8.50) in the 0-68 Vale Geoff Oliver Handicap (1200m). 
Prepared at Murray Bridge by Sarah Rutten, From The Block was near the lead throughout. 
Murtagh’s second winner was Daisydoo ($5) in the benchmark 62 Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1050m). Prepared on the track by Jon O’Connor, Daisydoo thundered home from well back to record her fifth win over 20 starts. 
The double was all the more special for Murtagh as his parents, Barry and Sue, were on track visiting from the UK. His father, a former jockey, now trains in partnership with wife Sue at Ivegill in England’s Cumbria region.
From The Block’s race was run in honour of the late Geoff Oliver, a regular racegoer, owner, breeder, and former committeeman of the South Australian Racehorse Owners Association. 
He founded Oliver’s Pets and Plants, located directly opposite the Morphettville racecourse. 
Morphettville trainer Chris Bieg got his start in racing as manager of Oliver’s business.
Oliver died on August 25, aged 98.
Dodson delivers
Telopea Downs (Vic) trainer Darryl Dodson and jockey Kayla Crowther stole the show with a treble at Naracoorte last Friday on a heavy 9 track. 
Their winners were Forever Waiting ($5.50) in 0-54 grade over 1100 metres, Badonkidonk ($9) in 0-56 class over 2000 metres, and Naralinga ($2.90 favourite) in an 1100-metre benchmark 64.
Home brace for Brooke
Strathalbyn’s meeting last Sunday saw local apprentice Brooke King ride a double, winning on the Alexander Justice-trained Gin Rummy ($6) in a 1200-metre Class 1 handicap and the Grant Young-trained Hamner Springs ($3.20 favourite) in a 1600-metre 0-58 handicap.