UNIT FIVE UPSTAGES THEM ALL IN THE $3 MILLION TWO-YEAR-OLD CLASSIC. MAHER SADDLES THE QUINELLA

By Graham Potter | Saturday, January 17, 2026

Trainer Ciaron Maher made merry at the rich Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast. On Saturday.

The gun trainer saddled the quinella in the $3 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic with Unit Five and Tornado Valley … he won the $1 million Magic Millions Subzero with Snitzanova … and his runners finished first (Axius) and third (Scampi) in the $1 million Magic Millions Snippets.

In the big one, the Two-Year-Old Classic, Unit Five, who had won the Magic Millions Victoria 2YO Classic at Caulfield by a dominant 2.50 length margin on debut, stepped up again, again striking in commanding fashion to remain undefeated with two wins from two starts.

The son of Stupido, an $80 000 purchase, who had won a trial when shown the Gold Coast track on January 5, started on the fourth line of betting at $8 behind the favourite Zip Lock ($3.30), the second favourite and Unit Five’s stable companion Tornado Valley ($4.40) and Shiki ($6.50).

As in Unit Five’s debut run, Thomas Stockdale was in the saddle and, while the horse was a star, Stockdale’s ride after Unit Five has made an ordinary start, was exceptional and was one of the prime factors in Until Five landing the result.

Stockdale brought Unit Five across to find the rail in the early part, but he was racing a full eight lengths back then as Itchintogo ($12) set a lively target up front, racing two lengths ahead of Togroni ($31) with the pack a further two lengths behind that.

The field closed up quickly in the sweep to the home turn and Itchintogo had horses coming at him from all sides on straightening and the early leader was a spent force soon after that.

Damian Lane had cut the corner on Double Cool and the $61 bolter, who had only qualified for the race a week earlier, surged into the lead coming through the 300m mark, but there were still challenges aplenty as Tornado Valley and By Choice ($11) loomed as dangers to the outside of the new leader.

Little did these runners know than that they would all soon only be chasing for the minor placings because Stockdale had now got to work on Unit Five.

The Maher trained runner had straightened in eighth place, faced with a wall of runners spread across the track in front of him, but, when Stockdale angled his mount inwards, targeting a gap one off the running rail, Unit Five produced a level of acceleration that was stunning, both visually and in the direct and almost immediate impact it was about to have on the race.

By the 200m mark, the only runner that stood in the way of Unit Five’s victory was the ever-game Double Cool, who was still fighting on with meaning, but Unit Five, still in full cry, went past Double Cool with 150m left to run … and then it was Thomas Stockdale’s moment of glory with a victory salute from the saddle which absolutely emphasised what the win meant to the rider.

Tornado Valley and By Choice would also eventually go past Double Cool inside the last 50m to claim second and third place respectively.

Double Cool huge effort was rewarded with fourth place, finishing two places better than her stable companion and race favourite Zip Lock, who tasted defeat for the first time here.

“The last month-and-a-half has just been unreal,” said Stockdale post-race, talking to 7News.

“I was filled with confidence after Unit five’s first win … and I thought his trial here two weeks ago was something to be reckoned with. I shut him down early just because he was possibly going to do too much. I couldn’t wait to get up here today and see him run.

“I was on the back of the right horses. I just had to pick the one that was going to take me in. They got me up far enough along the fence where I was able to find room up the rail.

“To let rip back to the inside, geez. What a feeling.

“For a young horse to go back to the rail by themselves … and then to go and put a field like that away, it shows how mature he is, and he is a two-year-old to be reckoned with now.

‘I always wanted to be competing on the big stage and riding in these bigger races. My weight has probably held me back from doing so … but I’ve stuck hard at my work.

“I keep on saying it … might sound like a broken record … but Ciaron’s support has just changed my career,” continued Stockdale. “I don’t even know if he realises what his support means.

“My wife has seen the best of me and the worst of me in this game and, you know, with Ciaron’s support it has only made me a better rider and with the support of my wife … she’s just made me a better man.

“My wife back home. She’s heavily pregnant with our first child. Let’s just hope she wasn’t jumping around too much.

“I can’t wait to get home and give her a hug.”

STEWARDS REPORT:
Only one runner, By Choice, is not mentioned in the Stewards Report for the race).

ZIP LOCK – Over-raced in the middle stages. Held up for clear running on entering the home straight and passing the 250m, shifted out abruptly making heavy contact with KNIGHTSBRIDGE.

TORNADO VALLEY – Slow to begin. Approaching the 500m had to be steadied after improving onto the heels of DOUBLE COOL. Momentarily inconvenienced when racing in restricted room passing the 300m between ITCHINTOGO and DOUBLE COOL which shifted out before being corrected.

ITCHINTOGO – Began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped with MYSTICAL.

UNIT FIVE – Began awkwardly and shifted in. Over-raced in the middle stages. Held up for clear running on entering the home straight and was obliged to shift in passing the 300m to obtain clear running.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE – Began awkwardly and shifted out. Over-raced in the middle stages. Passing the 250m, was contacted, hampered and carried wider.

SHIKI – Over-raced in the middle stages. Severely hampered and carried out on entering the home straight by KNIGHTSBRIDGE which was carried out by ZIP LOCK, which shifted out in an attempt to improve. Hampered and carried wider passing the 250m, by KNIGHTSBRIDGE which was carried out by ZIP LOCK which shifted out when insufficiently clear. Jockey M. Harley the rider of ZIP LOCK was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding. Carried wider passing the 200m by KNIGHTSBRIDGE, which shifted out under pressure.

MYSTICAL – Began awkwardly and bumped heavily with ITCHINTOGO, shifted out abruptly and made heavy contact with LEAVES OF LORIEN.

MAGRITTE – Began very awkwardly, shifted in and was then restrained to obtain a position. Over-raced in the middle stages.

TIGRONI – Approaching the 900m, had to be steadied to avoid the heels of ITCHINTOGO, which shifted in to take up a position closer to the rail. Jockey R. Maloney the rider of ITCHINTOGO was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding.

LEAVES OF LORIEN– Bumped heavily on jumping and became unbalanced. Raced wide. Passing the 1100m, had to be steadied after improving onto heels.

INHABIT – Began awkwardly. Passing the 800m, shifted out whilst over-racing. Raced wide. Lost its off-hind plate. A post-race veterinary examination revealed clinical signs of the thumps. Following INHABIT’s disappointing performance, Trainer M. Hickmott was advised that the filly would be required to officially trial prior to racing again.

DOUBLE COOL – Began awkwardly. Raced in restricted room for a short distance leaving the 1000m.

More articles