Osborne rides wave of success with Ciaron Maher camp as Holymanz wins 2025 Coastal Classic at Geelong

A significantly heftier impost failed to prevent Holymanz remaining the only horse to have won the $300,000 Coastal Classic at Geelong, continuing jockey Saffie Osborne’s winning ways.

Jockey Saffie Osborne with the spoils of victory from the Coastal Classic at Geelong. Picture: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

A significantly heftier impost failed to prevent Holymanz remaining the only horse to have won the $300,000 Coastal Classic at Geelong.

Holymanz carried 53kg to win last year’s inaugural running of the Coastal Classic but had to carry another 7kg in a smaller field to complete back-to-back wins in the feature race.

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher repeated last year’s successful program, aiming Holymanz at the Coastal Classic on the back of a freshen from his last start in late November.

Maher, via assistant trainer Jack Turnbull, instructed English jockey Saffie Osborne to give Holymanz a soft run in the second of the field before making her run in the straight.

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Osborne secured the perfect trail into the race on Werribee Cup winner Riot And Rose before getting the best out of Holymanz in the last 100m to score narrowly.

Turnbull said Osborne’s strength was crucial in the driving finish, which he said was the difference at the end of the 1700m race.

“It was a lovely, patient ride,” Turnbull said.

“When Saffie asked for him late, she really went for him.

She’s extremely strong when she needs to be, and it probably was the difference late, because he was strong through the line.

“But [if] you had the wrong person on, you probably don’t get the same result.”

Holymanz remains the sole winner of the Coastal Classic, victorious in the races' first two runnings 💫@[e-mail]/Vqw8BxMszh

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• Maher may get chance to Cherish first Blue Diamond after Geelong victory

Osborne has enjoyed success but also run foul of stewards with careless riding suspensions as she has settled into her Australian stint.

Despite the hot conditions at Geelong, Osborne said she was enjoying her time riding for the Maher camp.

“It’s been great, I love being here, and it’s been a turbulent run so far but hopefully today can sort of set things on the right track,” she said.

Holymanz (left) outguns Riot And Rose to win the 2025 Coastal Classic at Geelong. Picture: Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

Holymanz headed to New Zealand for an unsuccessful raid after last year’s Coastal Classic win but Turnbull said the stable had no such plans for the now five-year-old this year.

“I would imagine, (for Holymanz) a short breather and then, we’re probably looking at those autumn features,” Turnbull said.

“He doesn’t need a break for anything in terms of maturing, it’s more for his mind.

“But, we’ll see how he is Monday, but great to get a result.”

Holymanz completed a Geelong treble for the Maher camp, who saluted with Goldenstatewarrior and the Geelong Diamond winner Cherish Me earlier in the day.

The Aaron Purcell-trained Dashing led to the home turn in the Coastal Classic but was outgunned in the straight, grinding to the line in third spot, three lengths from the winner.