The $200,000 Magic Millions Clockwise Challenge (1000m) running at Ballarat Racecourse this Saturday has attracted a field of nine two-year-olds.

Prompt Return is favourite to win the Magic Millions Clockwise Challenge after winning the Maribynong Plate. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

The Clockwise Challenge is a trial race for a trip to the Gold Coast early in the New Year for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m). To help the juveniles prepare for the trip, the race is run in the opposite direction to all other Victorian races (right-handed).

It is the perfect way for trainers to have the opportunity to test their Magic Millions prospects under race conditions in their home state before committing to a trip north.

Half of the horses are making their debut in the 2014 Clockwise Challenge on Saturday so it’s hard to rate much of the field on form alone.

Five of the juveniles are offering single figure odds in the betting market art Ladbrokes.com.au, led by short-favourite Prompt Return at $2.

It’s no surprise the Danny O’Brien colt is the clear favourite of the race, he’s already had two starts both of which he won.

The colt won his maiden on debut in the Elmore RC 2YO Plate (900m) on October 18 before making his debut in black-type racing in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) on November 8. He started well to be on the inside division and led the field up before kicking away strongly at the furlong to hold a strong two length margin all the way to the line.

The majority of his rivals haven’t even run a race yet, let alone win a black-type race. After Saturday, Prompt Return will have run left-handed, right-handed, and down the straight. He’ll be one to watch come 2015 for sure.

Prompt Return may have the clear advantage but the betting market is still fairly open with four other single figure hopefuls:

• #2 Old Trieste ($6) – the Andrew Noblet-trained colt won his first barrier trial in October by over one length before finishing second to Prompt Return in the Maribynong Plate. The colt worked through to be near the inside in clear second position. He was close to the winner at 300 metres and did a fair job to finish where he did. Will also enjoy an ideal start from barrier one which has given Noblet confidence the colt can hold the advantage of the rails.
• #7 Carriages ($6.50) – Gai Waterhouse’s filly was second in her first barrier trial before finishing third on her debut in a TAB Betting Season Plate (1000m) on November 8 at Randwick. Will need to overcome a wide start from barrier eight.
• #3 Moral Outrage ($8.50) – David Hayes & Tom Dabernig’s colt ran three barrier trials before making his debut in a set weights plate on October 11, which he finished seventh in. Will jump from the middle of the field in barrier five.
• #6 Atlanta Miss ($9) – won her sole start on October 4, the Orange Spot Bakery Plate (1000m), by one length. Is set to get a good start as she jumps from barrier three.

The four hopefuls offering double figure odds: Captain Crackerjak ($17), Rise To Fame ($26), Bella Dentro ($26), and Eclat ($13) are making their debut in the Clockwise Challenge Magic Millions.

Open your online betting account at Ladbrokes.com.au this weekend to back some of racing’s rising stars.