Securing the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at his second attempt, Unit Five has trainer Ciaron Maher optimistic that the undefeated colt will push boundaries once more this Saturday at Caulfield.
Sired by Supido, he spearheads Maher’s three-faceted challenge in the $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, accompanied by Ghana’s Akan and Milsons Point.
Maher held Unit Five out of further action after January 17’s Gold Coast win, despite the lack of precedent for Magic Millions 2YO Classic graduates claiming the Diamond immediately after, but he’s confident following the colt’s third in a Cranbourne workout last Monday, won by Milsons Point.
“He trialled well and he seems very similar,” Maher said.
“He’s a very similar weight, travelled down well and seems in similar order. I can’t fault him, really, he’s a very straightforward horse.
“I think he’ll run to that (Gold Coast run) and possibly better given it’s only his third run.
“I like the fact that his runs have been spaced and he’s fresh. It worked going into that (Gold Coast) race and I think it’ll work going into this race.”
Unit Five’s initial triumph came in dominant fashion in the $250,000 Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic at Caulfield on December 20.
At $7 in Blue Diamond odds, Unit Five is behind Big Sky and Guest House from the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr yard, as well as Closer To Free who took the Blue Diamond Prelude on debut.
Blue Diamond Preview runner-up Milsons Point is at $34, but the son of Blue Point impressed Maher in the recent trial and is set to excel at 1200m for the first go beyond sprint trips.
“I think the 1200 will really suit him, he was looking for the 12 the other day, he was there to win the race but just didn’t have that turn of foot over 1000,” Maher said.
“I think the 1200 it will be a different story.”
Ghana’s Akan mirrors Unit Five with a recent interstate appearance in a lucrative sales race, filling the placings in the February 7 $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m)—third outing in five weeks—and Maher confirms the daughter of Street Boss remains robust.
“She has been busy, but she’s also fit and well and sound,” he said.
“She doesn’t need to do any work. She’s been busy, she’s been travelling, so you’re just backing off and you don’t mind doing that with two-year-olds.”
Saturday sees Ethan Brown aboard Ghana’s Akan for the first occasion, with Ben Allen on Milsons Point and Tom Stockdale sticking with Unit Five. Dive into the betting markets for the race now.
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