Now into his fifth season as a trainer, Reece Goodwin continues to peruse the on-line sales looking for a cheap purchase.
One of his latest is Stakes winning performer Coastwatch who heads to the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday in his first outing for Goodwin.
Coastwatch started his career with Chris Waller before moving to Richard and Will Freedman, the father-and-son combination he was with until offered for sale after finishing last at Canberra in November.
Earlier in 2025, Coastwatch won a Listed race at Sandown, but in eight subsequent starts, the gelding failed to place.
In picking up Coastwatch, Goodwin said the horse fits the bill for his stable.
“It’s what we have been doing for a number of years now,” Goodwin said.
“He’s a horse that has shown plenty of ability previously and tapered off in form for whatever reason, and sometimes we can get them going again, and sometimes we don’t.
“The older they are and the higher rated they are, the tougher it is to get them going, but it wasn’t too long ago that he was running OK and everything is price relative as well.
“If he had brought $40,000 or $50,000, we wouldn’t have him, but he only made $20,000 which we thought was a price worth risking on a horse that is going to be running in a race like Saturday, a $200,000 race, even though it’s probably a bit more competitive, or stronger, than I anticipated.”
Goodwin isn’t expecting success straight away from Coastwatch even though he has trialled up nicely, including his most recent at Pakenham when third behind Doncaster Mile favourite Sheza Alibi.
He said Coastwatch was awkwardly drawn on Saturday, but if he is finding the line, Goodwin will be a happy trainer.
“We’ll probably ride him quiet, but it would be good to see him getting through the line late and then we’ll look to step him up to 1600 (metres) second up and see him a bit more competitive then,” Goodwin said.
“We won’t be searching for anything interstate. We’ll keep him at home and try and pick off a race or two and we basically only have to win one of these races to be well in front.
“He does handle some sting out of the ground and being an older horse with some wear and tear, he certainly wouldn’t suit summer.
“We’re just looking for a good kick-off on Saturday and building our way from there.”
