When it comes to the Coastal Classic, Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) is like the spoiled kid who won’t let others play with their toys. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has won the only two editions of the 1700-metre race that has a giant surfboard as a trophy and is the headline event on Geelong’s feature Saturday meeting. The Cambridge Stud-raced six-year-old is out to maintain his dominance in the 2026 edition and in an ominous warning for his rivals, Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull considers him to be going better than the past two years. Last…
Day: 2 January 2026
The Queen reigns in Rich Hill Mile
The stakes-winning run of trainer Stephen Marsh at Ellerslie rolled on in inevitable fashion as underrated mare Queen Zou (Zoustar) produced an undeniable finish to claim victory in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) on New Year’s Day. The five-year-old daughter of Zoustar was tasked with defending the title in the race claimed by the Marsh-trained Bourbon Empress (NZ) (Proisir) in 2025 and did so courtesy of a patient ride from Matt Cartwright, who had also been aboard last year’s winner. Marsh was keen to see plenty of speed in…