When the Coastal Classic rolls around, Holymanz has made a habit of shutting everyone else out.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has claimed both runnings of the 1700-metre feature, a race best known for its distinctive surfboard trophy and as the highlight of Geelong’s Saturday program.
The Cambridge Stud-owned six-year-old will attempt to make it three straight victories in the 2026 edition and, according to Maher assistant Jack Turnbull, he is approaching the race in better shape than ever.
Last year’s win under 60kg was Holymanz’s first success since the inaugural Coastal Classic, but he lines up this time as a last-start winner after dead-heating with local runner Precious Charm in the 1600m Werribee Cup on December 7.
“The horse is extremely well,” Turnbull said.
“He’s probably arguably in better form, he’s got to carry the weight, but I wouldn’t say it’s as strong as a race as he found last year.
“Hopefully we can package up and send back to New Zealand a third surfboard.
“Once we picked up the second ‘board, we were always keen to come back for the third.”
Holymanz rises half-a-kilo for last year’s success and sits atop betting ahead of former stablemate St Lawrence, now trained by Gavin Bedggood, and the Liam Howley-trained Opening Address.
The Coastal Classic offers $110,000 to the winner and $36,000 for second, with either result enough to lift Holymanz past the $1 million mark in career prizemoney.
“He’s that Group Three, Group Two fringe horse and he’s just been an amazing galloper to have,” Turnbull said.
“He’s incredibly sound, he’s a pleasure to deal with and you wish you could have a few more of them.
“A million in stakemoney is very hard to do, even in this day and age, so he’s been good to Cambridge.”
After being ridden by Saffie Osborne last year, Holymanz reunites with Michael Dee, who partnered him in the inaugural win, jumping from barrier six in the field of 10.
Markets for the Coastal Classic are available across major bookmakers listed on the Australian betting sites list.
