Zelady's Night Out is not certain to run in the Group Three B J McLachlan Stakes in the lead-up to the $2 million Magic Millions Classic.

Saturday's Gold Coast race has already lost the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Detective who will instead run at Randwick to try to qualify for the Magic Millions on January 9.

Zelady's Night Out is the second favourite for the Magic Millions and the equal favourite for the McLachlan.

But trainer Tony Gollan says he will make a last-minute decision on a McLachlan start in the best interests of the filly.

"She has done very well since her last win two weeks ago. I know if we don't run her it would mean a month into the Millions without a run under her belt," Gollan said.

"But I don't want to flatten her either. The big advantage is she can have a look at the Gold Coast track."

Gollan said he would monitor Zelady's Night Out over the next two days and make a final decision by Saturday morning.

Trainer Liam Birchley is also in a quandary with his two-year-old Punishing who again drew poorly with barrier 12 in the McLachlan.

Punishing was never a chance when he drew wide at Doomben two weeks ago and was caught in the wrong part of the wet track.

"It was a waste as a guide to the future, but he will need the run and have to go around," Birchley said.

"At least he is in the Millions field on prize money."

The McLachlan is usually a good guide to the Magic Millions Classic with three of the past six McLachlan winners - Unencumbered (2014), Driefontein (2012), and Military Rose (2010) - going on to take out the big race.