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Snitzel colt Nikitas, a half brother to Oaks winner Jameka, blew open the Magic Millions Classic picture with a classy debut win at Doomben on Saturday.

His next race will be the G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on Boxing Day before the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.

Nikitas is trained by the astute Kelso Wood and he has compared the youngster to his former G1 winner Sizzling.

"Nikitas is a very good horse. We didn't want to lead with him but Michael Cahill went to the lead and he was just too good for them.

“He reminds me of Sizzling. I think he will eventually be a 1600m horse," Wood said.

A month ago Wood was in the doldrums after another of his Magic Millions 2YO Classic hopefuls Criquette broke down.

Criquette had been among the Magic Millions favourites after an easy Doomben win but Nikitas is now high in the betting after beating Mishani Silva by almost five lengths.

Nikitas, a Victorian-bred half-brother to Myboycharlie’s G1 VRC Oaks winner Jameka, is owned by a syndicate including Sizzling's owners David Devine and Neville Morgan who paid $280,000 for him as a yearling.

Morgan who is the owner of dual G1 winners Kermadec and the late Rangirangdoo, while Devine also part-owned Sizzling who finished fourth in the 2012 Magic Millions Classic won by Driefontein before taking out the G2 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes and G1 T J Smith at Eagle Farm in 2012.

Wood won the Magic Millions Classic with Real Surreal in 2013, long overdue compensation after losing the race on protest when Prince Regent was first past the post in 1988.

Nikitas (Snitzel x Mine Game by General Nediym) was bred by Gilgai Farm owner Rick Jamieson.

Jamieson has a half-brother to Jameka and Nikitas on the ground by Cox Plate winner Shamus Award.

He bought their dam Mine Game for $190,000 as a yearling at the 2007 Gold Coast Magic Millions and she won at Caulfield before retiring to his Nagambie stud.

• THE race for this season’s 2YO sire honours is hotting up with Sidereus the surprise leading first season sire by winners.

Sidereus had his third winner for the season on Saturday when the filly Sweet Missile (Sidereus x Jeweller’s Gem by Catbird) won at Gunnedah.

He is now the leading first season sire by winners ahead of Uncle Mo with two winners.

• NOT A Single Doubt leads the Australian 2YO Sires' prizemoney list from his fellow Arrowfield Stud stallion All American.

Not A Single Doubt has been the leading sire of juvenile winners for the last two seasons and has had another successful spring with new stakeswinner Jackson and city winners Faraway Town and Punishing.

All American occupies second spot on the 2YO sires' table with $234,400 earned from three city winners from only four starters including the unbeaten Yankee Rose.