Trainer Dan O'Sullivan hopes a financial decision made earlier this year comes to fruition at Ballarat.

O'Sullivan will saddle debutant Captain Crackerjak in Saturday's $200,000 Magic Millions Clockwise Classic over 1000m.

The race is restricted to two-year-olds bought at Magic Millions sales around Australia and is designed to give horses from southern states experience in the right-handed direction ahead of the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January.

Captain Crackerjak cost $25,000 in Adelaide in March and O'Sullivan said he was "purpose bought" with Saturday's race in mind.

The colt, by Captain Gerrard, is related to British General, an eight time winner for O'Sullivan with victories ranging from 1100m to 1410m, including two at Listed level.

"He's a nice type," O'Sullivan said.

"He's not a very big horse but I've always been keen to have a runner in this race and it was always the target we'd go for after we got him.

"His pedigree page is close up to British General and when you train a horse like that it's something that jumps out at you."

O'Sullivan said Captain Crackerjak had been given an unofficial trial going the clockwise direction at Ballarat in preparation for Saturday's race with the colt handling it without a hitch.

But he conceded it was a tough race for the colt's debut.

He labelled Prompt Return and Old Trieste, who finished one-two at Flemington in the Group Three Maribyrnong Plate on November 8, as the hardest to beat. Also among his opposition is the Patrick Payne-trained Atalanta Miss, a debut winner at Morphettville in October.

"I'm happy with my bloke but it's a strong race and he's a first starter," O'Sullivan said.

"I'm hopeful more than optimistic."