Ciaron Maher's impressive season with two-year-olds continues to gain momentum after his promising colt, Unit Five, delivered a commanding performance to win the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic at Caulfield Heath on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
A Commanding Performance on Debut
Breaking cleanly from barrier one, the speedy Supido colt named in honour of the late Widden Stud manager Dave Merrick, known as 'Unit Five', immediately took up the running. Under a confident ride from jockey Thomas Stockdale, the $2.60 favourite controlled the race and refused to be caught, holding off a determined challenge from Ko Phangan in the straight.
Invincible Son and Oman filled the minor placings to round out the top four. The victory followed a trial win at Cranbourne just six days prior, showcasing the horse's rapid progression and professional attitude.
Maher's System Paying Dividends
Trainer Ciaron Maher was full of praise for his team and the colt's development. "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."
He highlighted the success of his stable's system, noting that Unit Five is his fourth pre-Christmas two-year-old winner for the season. "The system is working very well," Maher added, expressing gratitude for his team during a period focused on juvenile talent.
Maher now has two prime contenders aimed at the rich Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast on January 17, with Unit Five joining recent Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Tornado Valley.
Future Plans and Praise from the Saddle
Following the win, Unit Five's odds for the Magic Millions feature on the Gold Coast firmed dramatically from $15 into $7. Maher indicated the initial plan was to send the colt to Sydney to prepare, putting him "on the right leg" for the January showdown, but will monitor how the horse recovers.
Jockey Thomas Stockdale, who also rode Maher's $1 million Supernova winner Warnie recently, was impressed by Unit Five's professionalism. "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 has the natural talent to progress into a nice horse," Stockdale added, noting the colt was still raw and looking at everything but showed a brilliant turn of foot when asked.
Maher also paid tribute to the owners, saying, "The Widden Stud boys will be alive and well today and hopefully into tonight and they have a nice horse on their hands." The victory marks another significant step for the powerful Maher stable as they build towards the summer's major two-year-old riches.
