Promising four-year-old Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) returned to the winner’s circle when landing the A$150,000 Cirka Trophy (1800m) at Flemington on Thursday.
The son of Almanzor sports the colours of Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay and was back at Flemington for the first-time since falling in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) won by Legarto in the autumn.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding finished second in his most recent outing in Sydney behind in-form galloper Iknowastar and relished the drop in weight to 54kgs on Thursday as he notched the third win of his career from 10 starts.
Holymanz was given a perfect ride by Tim Clark, who found the one-out, one-back position and despite hitting the front a shade soon when the leaders folded, he fought gamely to the line to hold the favourite Gregolimo (Galiway) by three-quarters of a length.
“We thought he would run well. He got into a nice spot and Tim rode him beautifully,” David Eustace said
“He had a nasty fall here at Flemington in the Guineas and it has taken a little while to get him back to the winner’s enclosure but the team up in Sydney have done a great job with him.
“I thought he looked fantastic today and he was pretty good through the line.
“First time at 1800m and he might get a little bit further. He’s by Almanzor, who stands at Cambridge Stud, so I am delighted for Brendan and Jo Lindsay who will be watching at home and Henry Plumptre who manages him.
“They put some faith into the yard and we have had plenty of faith in this horse, so it is great to win a nice race for them.”
Options for the smart galloper will include the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on December 2 and the A$500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) a week later.
“We’ll see what rating he goes to,” Eustace said. “The Ballarat Cup is worth plenty of money and would be one to consider.”
Cambridge Stud purchased the chestnut son of their shuttle stallion Almanzor for A$400,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in conjunction with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham, home to the high-class stallion in the Northern Hemisphere.
Holymanz was offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds on behalf of breeder Jamieson Park. He is out of the winning Dubawi mare Perfect Offering, who is a half-sister to the stakes winner and Group performer My Country.
