Barghest stuns on Guinness Day
A stirring run down the home straight from Barghest saw the gelding win on debut at Guinness Day at Morphettville on Saturday.
The three-year-old, running in his first race after just one jump out, settled back in the field before charging to the line to win the Guinness Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1100m) under the guidance of jockey Isaac Sit.
Co-trainer Damien Moyle was stunned by the result, who wanted to run Barghest and stable mate Blazing Missile in a trial before Saturday’s race.
“That was a bit of a shock today, to be honest,” Moyle, who trains in partnership with Gordon Richards, said.
“I sort of thought for the last two days, ‘Why the hell didn’t he go to Mindarie for a trial?’.
“Anyway, he made a fool out of me. I thought it’s a big trip out to Mindarie and whether (or not) they are both teetering and have just had enough. Let’s give them a look at the races and see what happens after that.”
Isaac Sit celebrates after winning on Barghest at Morphettville. Picture: Makoto Kaneko
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The Morphettville crowd came to life when The Cosmic One ran away for a huge victory in the Urban Environs Group Handicap (1200m), making in three wins-in-a-row and a fifth success from the past seven starts for trainer Travis Doudle.
Under the guidance of Ben Price, the five-year-old gelding took over at the 300m mark to win by nearly two lengths.
Jockey Joe Bowditch returned to Adelaide and saluted with a winning double, leading home Retourne in the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap (2500m), then piloting Nicajon to victory in the Hindmarsh Plumbing Handicap (1600m).
Connor Murtagh also rode a winning double on the day, saluting aboard From The Block in the Vale Geoff Oliver Handicap (1200m), then led Daisydoo to victory in the last on the card, the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1050m).
