Few horses have laid claim to a race quite like Holymanz has with the Coastal Classic.

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has won both previous editions of the 1700-metre contest, a race synonymous with its oversized surfboard trophy and Geelong’s summer racing showcase.

Now six, the Cambridge Stud representative returns in 2026 chasing a third straight success and Maher’s assistant Jack Turnbull believes the gelding is peaking at the right time.

While his victory last year under 60kg ended a long winning drought dating back to the inaugural Coastal Classic, Holymanz enters this year’s race on the back of a dead-heat win in the 1600m Werribee Cup alongside 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.”

Holymanz carries an extra half-kilo for last year’s win and heads the market over St Lawrence and Opening Address.

With $110,000 to the winner and $36,000 to second, even a minor placing would be enough to push Holymanz beyond the $1 million prizemoney milestone.

“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, who partnered Holymanz in the first Coastal Classic win, takes the ride again from barrier six, replacing last year’s jockey Saffie Osborne.

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