A standout three-year-old in Ciaron Maher’s stable, Unit Five, is scheduled to return to competitive racing this Saturday at Sandown.
Following a challenging tenth-place finish in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) in February, the 2026 Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) champion has benefited from an extended break and two successful trial runs, preparing him to elevate his profile further this spring.
The ultimate objective is a start in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over the same distance, slated for the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“We’ll give him the opportunity,” stated Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher.
“He had three months out to prepare for this time of the year and I think that time has done him the world of good.
“He’s strengthened but he hasn’t grown tall. He is a bit bigger but he’s a magnificent looking animal and he looks fast and athletic.
Unit Five is among the nominations for the 1000m three-year-old handicap, having completed two trials at Cranbourne.
“I was stoked with his trials,” Turnbull commented.
“He had one on the grass and one on the poly. We kept him on the bit on the poly being an artificial surface, but he is very sharp and he looks good and he’s in a good place.
Turnbull confirmed that the Sandown appearance would be followed by a test down the Flemington straight in the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes (1100m) on September 12.
“He just a racehorse and we saw that when he won on debut at Caulfield Heath,” Turnbull said, referring to the colt’s debut win on December 20.
“He’s one of our top tier three-year-olds and it is good to have him back.”
Irrespective of future results, Unit Five has already proven to be an excellent acquisition for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, having secured nearly $1.9 million in prize money after being purchased for $80,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2025.
The Sandown race presents a great opportunity to assess the colt’s current form with the latest racing odds available on Australian betting sites.