The biggest summer racing event to take place in Queensland is the annual Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival, the festival highlighted by the elite racing action of the Magic Millions Race Day that will take place on Saturday January 15, 2011.

The field of Magic Millions-purchased two-year-olds set to contest the day’s feature race, the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m), is starting to take shape after some early summer race meets and black-type features in Brisbane over the past fortnight.

Last Saturday, December 11, a number of Listed races were held at Eagle Farm before the later three events including the now officially abandoned Group 3 George Moore Stakes were cancelled.

The winners of these events produced eye-catching runs that have connections hopeful of their chances of snaring glory at the 2011 Magic Millions Carnival.

Last year leading local Gold Coast trainer Gillian Heinrich enjoyed great success at the Magic Millions Carnival, her classy General Nediym filly Military Rose taking out the Magic Millions Classic as a two-year-old following a win in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1000m).

Heinrich is now hopeful her emerging filly Military Grace, also by top sire General Nediym, can take out the Calaway Gal Stakes – Magic Millions Classic double and emulate her older stablemate after a narrow win in the first leg at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Giving Military Grace a run for her money was Midnight Minx, the fellow General Nediym filly finishing a mere long-neck back for second.

Connections of Midnight Minx including trainer Alan Bailey face a nervous wait to see if the $32,000 in career prize money is enough to qualify her for a spot in the MM Classic field.

In third was Flying Jet, trainer Steven O’Dea stating that they are pleased with the performance of the Jet Spur filly who is expected to be at peak fitness come January 15 for the Classic.

One race earlier at Eagle Farm on Saturday, I’m The One claimed an upset victory in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m), Mark Goodwin’s $26 roughie defeating the $2.50 favourite Internal Revenue.

Originally set to be sent for a spell, I’m The One will now continue onto the Magic Millions Carnival also, guaranteed a spot in the Magic Millions Classic field having earned $70,000 in prize money.

Phelan Ready runner-up Internal Revenue will also represent Gillian Heinrich in the Classic next month, the Exceed And Excel colt running a gallant second after winning their previous start at Doomben.

The 2010 Magic Millions Classic nominations were released on Friday, with 140 two-year-olds entered for the event.

The nominations for the other feature of the Carnival, the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) were also taken with 106 entries.

Stay tuned to races to view the complete list of Magic Millions nominations and early previews.

In the meantime, get ready to jump in on the generous ante-post markets when they open by signing up with leading online bookmaker Luxbet today!