Carter will be aiming for a historic third triumph when the Max Martin Memorial Maryborough Gift (120m) is run on Thursday at Princes Park.

The Maryborough Gift victory in 2010 was the first of his professional career.

Four years after he celebrated back-to-back wins, Carter will mark another return to what is the 154th Maryborough HIghland Gathering.

"To try for a third win was a big lure for me," Carter said on New Year's Eve.

"Maryborough is a fantastic carnival. The Highland Games add to what is a great atmosphere."

Carter will start off the 1.25m mark in the last of the seven heats in the Bendigo Bank-backed sprint classic which carries a prize pool of $15,000.  

He is among several previous winners who will be chasing more glory.

It's been a month since Carter raced.

Some amateur races in November were followed by a bout of illness and a hamstring injury.

"I am ready to race again. Being a handicap race and my mark it's just go flat-out from the blocks." the 26-year-old said.

Runner-up to Joel Bee in the 100m at last year's Victorian track and field titles at Lakeside Stadium, Carter said this year's goals include the state and national championships.

Another sprint star aiming to shine at Maryborough is Huon's Lee Forrest.

He will make the eight-hour return trip for the meet.

Because of distance, Forrest's only previous hit-out in this season's Victorian Athletics League circuit was at Northcote.

Forrest will run off the 3.5m mark in today's fourth heat.

"It's quite a big challenge."

A year ago, Forrest won the final off seven metres.

The 19-year-old made a great start to 2014 by winning the gift finals at Maryborough and Stonnington.

"The goal is to do as many of the VAL carnivals as possible," Forrest said of this year's sprint campaign.

Past winners of the Maryborough Gift returning for another tilt include Cam Dunbar, 2004; Daniel Steinhauser, 2009; and Matthew Eddy, 2012.

First of today's Maryborough Gift heats is at 1.05pm. Semi-finals are at 2pm anjd final about 4.15pm.

The athletics action begins at 10am.

Admission prices tp Princes Park are  $14 adult, $7 aged pension, $5 12-16 years, or $28 family (two adult, children under-16 years).