Unit Five books Gold Coast trip

The Maher-trained colt eyes bigger prize after landing the MM Victorian 2YO Classic

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Unit Five (Thomas Stockdale) dashing clear to take out the Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic (1,100m) at Caulfield on Dec 20.

PHOTO: RACING PHOTOS

MELBOURNE – Unit Five has stamped his credentials for the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast with his debut win at Caulfield on Dec 20.

The Ciaron Maher-trained two-year-old colt took out the A$250,000 (S$213,000) Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic (1,100m) and is now qualified to compete in the Jan 17 Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1,200m) on the Gold Coast.

Sent out as the $9 favourite under Thomas Stockdale, Unit Five scored a 2¼-length victory from the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Ko Phangan (John Allen),while Invincible Son (Jamie Melham) finished a further 1¼ lengths away in third for trainer Robbie Griffiths.

Maher said it was an easy watch as the son of Supido dispatched his rivals, which came after he won a 800m jump-out at Cranbourne just five days ago on Dec 15.

“I’m just rapt in the horse’s progression,” he said.

“We normally wouldn’t trial them that close, but he seems to find things easy.

“I can’t thank my team enough. I think that’s our fourth pre-Christmas two-year-old winner for the year, so the system is working very well and I’m very thankful for them as at this time of year, the two-year-olds is what it’s all about.”

Maher said he saw no reason why Unit Five – named after former stud manager David Merricks who died in 2024 after having worked at Widden Stud for more than 30 years – could not head to the Gold Coast