Ciaron Maher's impressive season with two-year-olds gained another exciting prospect on Saturday as Unit Five delivered a commanding performance to win the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic at Caulfield Heath, instantly launching himself into contention for the rich Gold Coast feature.
A Commanding Debut Victory
The promising colt, a son of Supido, made his race debut a winning one with a professional display in the 1200-metre contest. Jumping cleanly from barrier one, Unit Five sped to the lead under jockey Thomas Stockdale and never looked back, fending off a sustained challenge from the fast-finishing Ko Phangan.
Unit Five started as the $2.60 favourite and justified that support, holding a margin over Ko Phangan, with Invincible Son and Oman filling the minor placings. The victory came just six days after the juvenile won a trial at Cranbourne, showcasing his rapid progression.
Maher's System Firing with Juveniles
Trainer Ciaron Maher was full of praise for his team and the colt's professional attitude. "I'm just rapt in the horse's progression," Maher said. "We normally wouldn't trial them that close, but he seems to find things easy."
Maher highlighted that Unit Five is his fourth two-year-old winner before Christmas this season, a clear sign his system is working effectively. "This time of year, the two-year-olds are what it's all about," he added, expressing gratitude for his stable staff.
The colt is named in honour of the late Widden Stud manager Dave Merrick, whose nickname was 'Unit Five'. Maher noted the Widden Stud team would be thrilled with the result and have "a nice horse on their hands."
Gold Coast Target Firmly in Sight
The primary target for Unit Five is now the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast on January 17. Following this emphatic win, his odds for that race firmed dramatically from $15 into $7.
Maher revealed the strategic planning behind the campaign. "Timing wise, we thought we could then send him to Sydney and then he would be on the right leg for the Millions," he explained, while cautioning they would see how the horse recovers from this run.
Jockey Thomas Stockdale, who also rode Maher's recent $1 million Supernova winner Warnie, was impressed with the colt's toughness. "He was proactive from the barrier and absorbed that pressure from the outside which isn't easy to do as a young horse," Stockdale said. He believes Unit Five, who is still "very raw" and "looky," has the natural talent to develop into a high-quality performer.
Maher's Dual Magic Millions Assault
Unit Five is not Maher's only live chance for the coveted Magic Millions Classic. The leading trainer also has Tornado Valley, the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate winner, aimed at the same race, setting up a potentially powerful two-pronged attack for the Maher stable next month.
The performance of Ko Phangan for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young also offered promise, with that runner looming menacingly in the straight before Unit Five found another gear to secure the victory.
With this dominant qualifying win, Unit Five has announced himself as a major player in the summer's richest juvenile race, continuing Ciaron Maher's formidable strike rate with his emerging two-year-old team.
