Geelong has now staged two runnings of the A$300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m), and both of them have been won by the Kiwi-bred gelding Holymanz.
The chestnut son of Almanzor carried the 53kg minimum weight to win the inaugural edition of the race last January, and he returned to Geelong on Saturday and successfully defended that title under 60kg.
Ridden by British jockey Saffie Osborne, Holymanz settled in second-last before swooping around the outside and looming just behind the leaders in fourth spot coming around the home turn.
Osborne unleashed Holymanz down the outside of the track in the straight, out-finishing fellow New Zealand-bred runner Riot And Rose to win by half a length.
“I might have been one spot further back than I wanted in the running, but that was just where he landed,” Osborne said. “I wanted to give him as smooth a trip as possible.
“He’s an extremely uncomplicated horse and a jockey’s dream. He’s had to carry a lot of weight today, but he has a wicked turn of foot and is extremely tough and has a great attitude.”
Holymanz races in the colours of Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who stand the five-year-old’s sire Almanzor at Cambridge Stud. From a 23-start career, Holymanz has recorded five wins and six placings. He has placed in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m), and his career earnings now stand at A$798,032.
Holymanz is trained by Ciaron Maher, who was represented at Geelong on Saturday by assistant trainer Jack Turnbull.
“Saffie gave him a lovely, patient ride,” Turnbull said. “He had a bit more weight this year and is potentially just a little bit suspect at the 1700m. But when Saffie asked for him late, she really went for him. She’s a strong rider, which was probably the difference. He was strong through the line today, but if you had the wrong person on, you probably don’t get the same result.
“I think he’s going as well, if not better than he was when he won this race last year. He’s a model of consistency and a very solid Group Three and Listed horse, maybe even Group Two on the right day.
“It’s great for Cambridge Stud. Brendan and Jo and Henry (Plumptre, CEO) have allowed us to keep going in this prep and have a crack at this race. We’re very thankful. It’s a good race with a rich purse.
“He’ll probably have a short breather now and then we’ll look at some autumn targets.”
Cambridge Stud purchased Holymanz for A$400,000 as a yearling in Sydney in conjunction with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham. He was offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds on behalf of breeder Jamieson Park.
Holymanz is out of the winning Dubawi mare Perfect Offering, who is a half-sister to the stakes winner and Group performer My Country.
Landsdowne Park will offer a half-brother to Holymanz during Book 1 of Karaka 2025 later this month. The colt by Xtravagant is catalogued as Lot 202. – NZ Racing Desk.
