Promising youngster Unit Five has announced himself as a Magic Millions contender after an authoritative debut success at Caulfield Heath.
The Ciaron Maher-trained colt claimed the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m), booking his place in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on January 17 at the Gold Coast.
Starting favourite at $2.70, Unit Five proved too strong under Thomas Stockdale, drawing clear to defeat Ko Phangan ($41) by 2-¼ lengths, with Invincible Son ($6) another 1-¼ lengths back in third.
Maher said the performance confirmed what the stable had been seeing at home, especially after the colt’s recent jump-out win at Cranbourne.
“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.
“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.”
Named after the late David Merricks, who spent more than three decades at Widden Stud, Unit Five is now set to be assessed on how he comes through the run before travelling north.
While Tornado Valley remains the stable’s headline act for the Millions, Maher said Unit Five has earned his shot.
“This bloke, timing wise, we thought we could then send him to Sydney and then he would be on the right leg for the Millions, but we’ll see how he comes through,” Maher said.
“He’s just so professional and I loved the way he presented and behaved himself in the yard.
“He was very calm behind the gates. He bounced and made Tom’s job pretty easy.
“Tom had a good winner for us the other day and he’s starting to make a habit of it, so it’s good to be associated with him.”
Stockdale said the race experience will only sharpen the colt going forward.
“I didn’t let him off the chain too much at Cranbourne bearing in mind this was a possibility,” Stockdale said.
“It was great to see him extend off the bridle, which I hadn’t seen before, and he will improve.
“He’s still very raw, still very ‘looky’, but he has the natural talent to progress into a nice horse.”
Unit Five’s Gold Coast prospects are already attracting attention among punters on the Australian betting sites list.
