Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes is at a loss to predict how the stable’s 2015 Magic Millions 2YO Classic representative Surf Seeker will handle a wide barrier and rain-affected Gold Coast track in Queensland this weekend.

James McDonald retains the ride on Surf Seeker in Saturday’s 2015 Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Photo: Sarah Ebbett.

One of a capacity field of youngsters tackling the $2 million Jeep Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on Saturday, Wanted colt Surf Seeker is prepared in Sydney by the father and sons’ training team of John, Michael & Wayne Hawkes.

After a nice trial in early December at Warwick Farm over 740m where he cruised along and did it easily in the straight for a second, the promising galloper was narrowly defeated on debut.

He had his maiden run at Wyong on December 18 in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m) and finished just a nose off the winner Zoutentant when hampered at the start from his wide barrier 11 of 12 draw.

Expat Kiwi hoop James McDonald was aboard for that luckless run and retains he ride for Saturday where Surf Seeker gets the chance to turn the tables on his last start conqueror with the Kevin Moses-trained Wyong Magic Millions Classic winner also accepted for the lucrative Gold Coast edition.

The latest Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have the Barry Mitchell-trained Wicked Intent and market mover Frequendly installed as the $6 co-favourites.

Zoutentat pays $13 to go back-to-back with Glyn Schofield to ride the Zizou colt from a good barrier seven draw while Surf Seeker suffered an early blow with a wide draw.

He has barrier 18 that will become 13 with the five emergencies coming out and sits as a $12 chance in the Magic Millions Classic odds.

On paper barrier 13 appears nasty but history shows it is one of four barriers to produce three winners in the race’s 29-year-history along with three (Le Chef), six (Single Gaze) and 16 (Carriages).

Surf Seeker has only ever raced on Good-rated tracks and with the Gold Coast currently rated a Heavy (8) the chance of firm going for the weekend is slim.

He has his work cut out for him then on the wet track from a wide gate and how he handles it is anybody’s guess according to Hawkes.

“Your guess is as good as mine how he’ll handle it,” he told TVN on Thursday.

To get behind your favourites this Magic Millions Race Day, and get a chance to win shares in a Peter Moody-trained filly, head to Ladbrokes.com.au and place a minimum $5 bet on any Gold Coast race on Saturday!