Few trainers boast Ciaron Maher’s strike-rate in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and he is confident he can add another chapter to that record this weekend.
Maher will saddle up Maribyrnong Plate hero Tornado Valley alongside impressive debutant Unit Five in the $3 million 1200-metre event at the Gold Coast.
While acknowledging the strength of Bjorn Baker-trained favourite Warwoven, who drew barrier six and has tightened into odds-on, Maher is pleased with the profile of his two contenders.
“They’re very good chances, the favourite looks very hard to beat, but I think they’ll be thereabouts,” Maher said.
“Bjorn’s has drawn well and it’s the favourite for a reason – it looks a good on-speed, tough horse, and they’re hard to beat – but I’m very happy with ours.”
Maher has previously claimed the Classic with Away Game in 2020 and Coolangatta in 2022 during his partnership with David Eustace.
Both victories followed lead-up runs in Queensland, and Maher has mirrored that approach with Tornado Valley, who finished second behind Zip Lock in the Group 3 B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m).
Before that, the Too Darn Hot colt scored a decisive win in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
“I’m very happy with his preparation, it was the plan that we set out, and he’s definitely still very much on the up and will come on from his run the other day,” Maher said.
“We’ve put the blinkers on just help him focus that little bit, he is pretty casual, so I think we’ll get a twist there.”
Tornado Valley will start just inside Warwoven, while Unit Five, a son of Supido, drew barrier nine.
With punters already assessing options through major online bookmakers, the Magic Millions Classic is shaping as one of the most anticipated races of the summer.
Maher said Unit Five’s Gold Coast trial on January 5 gave him confidence despite the historical difficulty faced by Victorian lead-up runners.
“He trialled super, he came through his trial good, and while he hadn’t travelled before, that’s been no problem at all,” Maher said.
“I thought anywhere inside (barrier) 10 would be ideal and he’s drawn nine, so that’s not too bad.”
Thomas Stockdale will chase a career-defining win aboard Unit Five, while Ethan Brown remains aboard Tornado Valley.
The post Maher sizes up another Magic Millions Classic first appeared on Just Horse Racing.