Instead of joining the usual December push toward Queensland, trainer Liam Birchley is heading south, targeting Victoria in his bid to qualify Gold Czech for next month’s Magic Millions at the Gold Coast.

With no suitable two-year-old race in Brisbane this weekend and the Group 3 B J McLachlan Stakes looming as an overcrowded option, Birchley sees Saturday’s Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic as the most realistic qualifying pathway.

“If the programming had been a little bit better, I wouldn’t need to travel,” he said.

“We don’t have a Magic Millions standalone race in Queensland, and it’s our race.

“We’re forced to earn double the amount of prize money as the southern state horse because of the disparity, and I think it’s a joke.”

Birchley said the lack of a Queensland lead-up leaves trainers at a disadvantage.

“There’s no two-year-old race on Saturday and then the following weekend the B J McLachlan … it will be a big field and I’m more than likely to miss out on a run there as well.”

The long float trip to Melbourne is far from ideal for an inexperienced juvenile, but Birchley hopes a top-two finish will resolve qualification concerns.

Gold Czech heads into the assignment with a recent trial win, though Birchley admits it is difficult to read the form.

“He’s shown something,” he said.

“He did get back and ran on, and whether that will be conducive to the Caulfield Heath track … that will be another thing as well.

“He will be in there with a hope, but there are more unknowns than usual.”

Luke Nolen has been booked for the debut ride.

If you’re looking to bet on Caulfield Heath’s Magic Millions qualifiers, see the latest markets at JHR’s betting sites page.