January’s Magic Millions Trophy 2018 at the Gold Coast could be the major summer racing target for the Danny O’Brien-trained mare Toffee Nose who races second-up at Ladbrokes Park on the weekend.

The daughter of Toorak Toff made her four-year-old debut at Bendigo on November 14, but only managed to run five lengths back seventh as the beaten $3.30 favourite behind Sword Of Justice over 1300m.

That was Toffee Nose’s first run since her ninth in the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks (2010m) as a three-year-old filly behind the Chris Waller-trained Egg Tart in Adelaide back in early May.

A winner of just two of her 11 career starts to date, Toffee Nose will be out to atone on the weekend taking her spot in a Benchmark 84 for fillies and mares over the mile at Sandown.

The increased distance should work in favour of the progressive mare who defeated subsequent Queensland Derby champ Ruthven in the VOBIS Gold Heath over 2000m leading into her Oaks flop.

“I thought her first-up run was only fair so we’re hoping for a better run on Saturday,” O’Brien told AAP on Tuesday.

“I think she’s a mare that is probably at her best at around 2000 metres so the mile was an ideal stepping stone for her second-up.

“She’s got form around horses that have been really solid over the spring.

“We’re certainly expecting a big improvement from her into a more suitable distance range.”

O’Brien is hoping to get Toffee Nose to the Gold Coast Magic Millions Race Day in mid-January at her peak for a shot at the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy (2200m).

“We’re hoping that she’s going to get to the Magic Millions,” he said.

“There’s a 2200-metre race on Magic Millions day that she’s eligible for.”

O’Brien also nominated for stablemates Another Bullseye and Winklemann in the Ladbrokes Park race on Saturday, but plans to run both in the $40,000 Dream Thoroughbreds Handicap (1800m) at the track on Wednesday instead.

To back Toffee Nose this weekend and in her summer assignments at the best racing odds online head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.