Unit Five stamps Magic Millions credentials with emotional win

For those at Widden Stud, Saturday’s Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic was always going to be about more than prizemoney and passports north.

Unit Five isn’t just another promising two-year-old. He carries a name, and a story, that means something. Named after the late Dave Merrick, a much-loved member of the Widden team for more than three decades, the colt’s debut was no doubt an emotional one.

In many ways, Saturday felt like Magic Millions moving day.

Earlier in the day, Bjorn Baker’s Warwoven had produced a breathtaking debut win at Randwick, firming sharply into $4 second favouritism for the January Classic.

But before long, the spotlight shifted south.

Unit Five, a sharp son of Supido, had caught the eye only days earlier with a slick Cranbourne jump-out. He carried that promise straight to raceday with an authoritative all-the-way display in the $250,000 feature.

Ridden positively by Thomas Stockdale, Unit Five gave his supporters little reason to sweat. He travelled comfortably in front, always appearing to have plenty in reserve, before extending late to score by 2.5 lengths over long-shot Ko Phangan ($41).

Trainer Ciaron Maher had flagged pre-race that the only slight concern was the five day back-up from Monday’s jump-out, but any doubts were erased within the first furlong.

Maher was impressed with what he saw.

“It was an easy watch, wasn’t it,” he said.

“I’m just rapt with the horse, his progression. Normally we wouldn’t trial them that close to raceday, but he seems to find things easy.”

Unit Five became the Maher stable’s fourth two-year-old winner prior to Christmas, with the trainer quick to pay tribute to his team.

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

Post-race, Maher confirmed what many were already thinking; the colt is now firmly on track for the Magic Millions Classic.

“Timing-wise, we thought if we could win today then we’d send him to Sydney and he’d be on the right leg for the Millions.”

But for Maher and those involved, the win also carried a deeper meaning.

“There’s a big syndicate of owners,” he said.

“As I said before the race, the horse is named after Dave Merrick who passed away a year ago, and that was his nickname – Unit Five.”

Merrick worked at Widden Stud for 33 years until his passing earlier this year, and Maher was quick to acknowledge the emotion behind the moment.

“The Widden Stud boys, the Widden Valley, will be nice and alive today. They’ve got a nice horse on their hands.”