Surf’s up again for Holymanz in 2026 Coastal Classic

Holymanz has turned the Coastal Classic into his own personal playground.

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has captured both editions of the 1700-metre event, the centrepiece of Geelong’s feature Saturday meeting and a race famous for its surfboard trophy.

The six-year-old Cambridge Stud runner returns in 2026 looking to complete a hat-trick and, if Jack Turnbull’s assessment is accurate, his rivals could be in trouble.

Last season’s victory under 60kg snapped a long winless stretch since the inaugural Coastal Classic, but Holymanz approaches this year’s contest off a dead-heat triumph in the 1600m Werribee Cup with Precious Charm.

“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.”

Up half-a-kilo from last year, Holymanz heads the betting from St Lawrence and Opening Address.

The Coastal Classic’s prizemoney structure means a win or second placing would elevate Holymanz beyond the $1 million mark in career earnings.

“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.”

Michael Dee reunites with Holymanz after steering him to victory in the first Coastal Classic, jumping from barrier six in a field of 10.

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