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 year’s win under 60kg was his first success since the inaugural Coastal Classic, but he heads into Saturday’s race a last-start winner after dead-heating with Geelong rival Precious Charm (NZ) (Per Incanto) 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 goes up half-a-kilo for last year’s win and heads betting from former stablemate St Lawrence (NZ) (Redwood), who is now with Gavin Bedggood, and the Liam Howley-trained Opening Address (NZ) (So You Think).
The Coastal Classic carries a $110,000 winner’s purse, and $36,000 for second, either of which would see Holymanz snare the necessary $26,718 required to make him racing’s latest millionaire.
“He’s that Group Three, Group Two fringe horse and he’s just been an amazing galloper to have,” Turnbull said of the son of Almanzor, who has six wins and 10 placings from 32 starts.
“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.”
Visiting English jockey Saffie Osborne rode Holymanz in last year’s Coastal Classic, but Michael Dee was aboard for the initial win and Dee goes back aboard on Saturday with the pair to jump from barrier six in the field of 10.