Unit Five is set to leave Victoria this week with Ciaron Maher mapping out a Sydney stopover ahead of the Magic Millions Carnival.
The talented two-year-old made a striking first impression when winning the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) at Caulfield Heath, immediately earning a ticket towards the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
Maher said Sydney will be the next stop as the stable focuses on preparing the colt to race right-handed.
A trial rather than another race is likely to be used as the final lead-in before Queensland.
“He’ll go to Sydney, he’s got to get up there pretty quickly and maybe have a trial,” Maher said.
“You want to get up there, get acclimatised, gallop on the track.
“We train them both ways, but it would be good to get him up there and get used to that.
“He’ll have a few easy days and head to Sydney later in the week.”
Unit Five’s win marked Maher’s fourth two-year-old success of the season and the trainer credited the stable’s refined development model.
“The system is working, we refined it a little bit last year.,” Maher said.
“Ballarat they’re coming through there, it’s predominantly two-year-olds, and so is Bong Bong.”
Maher could also have a strong hand on Boxing Day with multiple runners likely for the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.
A Little Deep, Extratwo and Nadal are all under consideration.
Nadal continues his comeback from bone chip surgery and his most recent effort came in The Meteorite at Cranbourne.
Maher said the gelding is tracking well and expected improvement.
“He’s in good order,” Maher said.
“His figures post-race were good, visually it only looked fair, but he actually went good.
“He probably needs to (lift), but I think he will.”
Magic Millions betting markets and all lead-up races can be followed through the Australian betting sites list.