Two races 900 kilometres and three hours apart will determine favouritism for the summer's richest race.

Three of the top four in the market will do battle at Doomben on Saturday but the two-year-old race at Canterbury earlier in the afternoon could have an even bigger bearing on next month's $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast.

Melbourne colt Nordic Empire, the equal third favourite for the Magic Millions, takes on debutant Jetwings who is a $21 chance for the big race on January 11.

Based on his dominant barrier trial win over subsequent winner Kumaon, Jetwings is favourite at Canterbury over Nordic Empire who won his first start at Flemington on November 30.

Jetwings' trainer Gerald Ryan is pleased with the colt's progress since his trial win but also wary of his opposition, the Mick Price-trained Nordic Empire in particular.

"He won the trial well and beat a horse that came out and won his first start. He's done everything right since the trial but whether that's good enough to win is another matter," Ryan said.

"I've watched the replay of Nordic Empire's win at Caulfield and he did look as if he lugged out a bit, so on that he'll probably handle this way of going.

"I do think he is the one to beat."

Ryan said Jetwings would have to win at Canterbury to justify a trip to the Gold Coast.

"If he didn't win, we wouldn't go even if he got into the race," he said.

"There's no point going all that way if he can't win."

Market leaders Echo Gal, Oakleigh Girl and Unencumbered will face off in the Bruce McLachlan at Doomben.

Ryan's other runner at Canterbury is Kanjistar who has come in for support in early markets for the 1100m benchmark 75 after an unlucky fifth on November 30 at Rosehill.

But the trainer has some reservations given that Kanjistar has drawn the outside gate and has to carry second topweight of 58.5kg.

"He was unlucky the other day but it's a big ask from barrier 11 with the weight," Ryan said.

"But even though he has an awkward draw, being Canterbury he could end up getting a good run from there."