Bermadez looks to end 20-month winning drought in Coastal Classic at Geelong on Saturday

Bermadez has returned in outstanding form after a lean period and is closing in on his first win in 20 months heading into Saturday’s Coastal Classic at Geelong.

Bermadez is favourite for Saturday’s Coastal Classic at Geelong despite a winless run dating back to May 2022. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Trainer Michael Moroney says it’s a matter of time before veteran galloper Bermadez ends his 20-month winning drought.

The seven-year-old struggled for the most of 2023, finishing no better than seventh in his seven starts from April to July.

However, he returned for his latest campaign near his best form, finishing second behind Pascero at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and again at Caulfield five weeks later after drawing wide in both races.

Bermadez heads to Geelong on Saturday for the feature $300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m) as the $4.60 TAB favourite after opening $5.50.

He has drawn well this time in barrier four in the field of 12 and jockey Jye McNeil stays aboard.

“He could have won any of his last two,” Moroney said.

“I think he’s going well enough to be winning.

“He’s a Group-class horse when he’s at his best, so if he’s anywhere near his best he’ll be hard to beat in that.”

Pascero beats Bermadez again! 😍

He's found his mojo this prep for @busuttin. pic.twitter.com/bEYgieNDcr

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 16, 2023

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The last of Bermadez’s six career wins was in May 2022 during the three-day Warrnambool carnival, coincidentally over the same distance as the Coastal Classic.

Moroney said Bermadez had enjoyed a longer break after failing to come up last prep.

“He’s not quite 100 per cent because at 100 per cent he looked a Group-class horse but he’s certainly going a lot better,” Moroney said.

“He got pretty tired last time in, he’d come off a pretty short break. This time we’ve given him a nice long break, which I think is what he really wanted.”

For that reason, Moroney wants to spread out his races and has no set targets in mind.

“I’m just going to take it a race at a time with him,” he said.

“It’s just a matter of keeping his mind right, which is the key to him, and we space the races a bit.”

Bermadez has returned close to his best form this prep. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

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Moroney will also unveil two-year-old debutant Peru, who is related to the trainer’s two-time Zipping Classic winner Sound through his third dam Sky Dancing.

Peru is a $41 outsider in the Geelong Diamond (1200m).

The son of Brazen Beau will be better suited when he gets out to 1400m and 1600m, Moroney said.

“I’m going to give him his chance to make the Sires’ Produce,” he said.

“We’ll just see how he goes. He gives the impression he’s going to make a nice 1400m to a mile horse as a late two-year-old.”

Moroney said Toronto Terrier ($5.50) was “tracking very well” and will wear blinkers for first time in the 1400m Benchmark 84 (race 7).

Originally published as Bermadez looks to end 20-month winning drought in Coastal Classic at Geelong on Saturday