Twelve youngsters ultimately being aimed toward the race will be stepping out for what would be their final hit out before the million dollar event on January 12.

The importance of Saturday's and Tuesday's events in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast is certainly not lost on staff at Magic Millions.

"For some nominated graduates a run in the feature races in assured, but for others the next start they have could make or break their chances of having a crack at the title," Magic Millions Marketing Supervisor Annie McDonald said today.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse, an active Magic Millions buyer who has won the 2YO Classic the past two years, is looking at having four runners in next month's event.

She has sent her million dollar yearling Sunday Joy (the first Australian runner for champion Japanese sire Sunday Silence) to Brisbane where she will run in the $100,000 Tommy Smith Slipper. Sunday Joy has also been entered for Rosehill on the same day, but the filly has already arrived in a steamy Brisbane and will be fitted with blinkers for the first time on Saturday.

Waterhouse will also saddle up Obsessions in the Brisbane race named in honour of her late father. Waterhouse has a big opinion of the youngster whom she fell in love with at the Gold Coast Sale earlier this year.

The leading lady trainer will also have her eyes clearly on how Chuckle runs at Rosehill on the same afternoon. The filly who is part owned by Rob Ferguson, one of the three Magic Millions Directors, finished second to the Bede Murray trained Victory Vein in Sydney at her only start to date.

Chuckle is expected to have tough opposition from Sunday Joy's last start conqueror Lovely Jubly. The speedy daughter of boom Queensland stallion Lion Hunter was ultra impressive last start and is expected to be the one to beat in Sydney.

Highest, a Marscay filly from the in form Jack Denham yard, has a third from two outings and will also be running at Rosehill.

The colts and geldings event on the same program in Sydney has attracted two Melbourne youngsters who are also chasing dollars to add to their balance.

The Dean Lawson trained Cool Trent is looking at emulating former stablemate Testa Rossa, while the well bred Colin Little trained Blur is nominated in both Sydney and the Gold Coast for Saturday.

Rounding out the Saturday runners with interest is Horrocks and Mr Scandal'us, who along with Blur, are nominated for the Super QRIS Added Stakes 2yo event on the Gold Coast.

Three other promising Magic Millions graduates who are set down to start on New Year's Day include the last start record breaking winner Snowland, another member of mighty Waterhouse stable. That youngster has been entered to run at Randwick.

Meanwhile, further north and Dark Topaze and Sun Kisses are set to clash in the Awapuni 2yo Handicap at Eagle Farm.

The Bill Mitchell trained Dark Topaze has managed two thirds from his three career starts. Last start he was a shade unlucky when beaten by Sun Kisses and Koochie. His in form rider last start Scott Seamer lost the whip during the race after earlier being sluggish out of the barrier.

Sun Kisses meanwhile made a dashing start to her career by showing plenty of dash in her winning debut. After two barrier wins she was primed to run well by leading Queensland trainer Gerald Ryan.

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