Racing
Unit Five leads Maher Diamond assault
Magic Millions hero headlines three-pronged attack for Maher in 2YO feature.
Unit Five created history winning the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at just his second start and Ciaron Maher is confident the unbeaten colt can break new ground again this weekend at Caulfield.
The son of Supido headlines a three-pronged attack on the $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes for Maher, who will also be represented by Ghana's Akan and Milsons Point.
Maher opted against giving Unit Five another run after the Gold Coast race on January 17 and while no horse has won the Diamond straight out of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Maher thinks it can work for his charge, who finished third in a Cranbourne trial won by Milsons Point last Monday.
"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 only start before the Gold Coast was his dominant win in the $250,000 Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic at Caulfield on December 20.
He owns a place on the $7 line in Blue Diamond betting behind Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained pair Big Sky and Guest House and debut Blue Diamond Prelude winner Closer To Free.
Last-start Blue Diamond Preview runner-up Milsons Point is a $34 chance, but Maher liked what he saw in last week's trial and said the son of Blue Point would relish getting out beyond 1000m for the first time.
"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."
Like Unit Five, Ghana's Akan heads in off an interstate run in a rich sales-restricted race, finishing second in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 7, which was her third run in five weeks but Maher is happy with how the daughter of Street Boss is holding together.
"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."
Ethan Brown will ride Ghana's Akan for the first time on Saturday with Ben Allen retaining the ride on Milsons Point and Tom Stockdale to continue his association with Unit Five.
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