Promising two-year-old Papaya will miss next weeks’s Capricornia Classic to concentrate on Doomben.
Papaya was a strong last-start winner at Eagle Farm and trainer Chris Munce had been planning to take her to Rockhampton for the Capricornia Classic which was scheduled for Saturday
However, due to the regional racing restrictions imposed to counter coronavirus, the race has been switched to Tuesday with reduced prize money.
Munce said Papaya would now tackle the Two-Year-Old (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
“Her last-start win was at 1300 metres and I have been keen to step her up in distance,” Munce said.
“I have no doubt she will develop into a good 1400 to 1600-metre horse before too long.
“She has barrier eight which can be tricky but there should be plenty of early pace.”
Munce will also have Thrasher, a fast-finishing last start second at the Sunshine Coast, in the race.
“He is well bred and is looking for a longer trip now,” Munce said.
Munce has elected to run Lucky Jackson, a winner at his past two starts, in the Ascot Childcare Handicap (2200m) instead of the TAB Open Handicap (1600m).
“He is stepping up in distance but I have always thought he would be a middle-distance horse,” Munce said.
“It is only a small field and he should get his chance.”
Lucky Jackson is raced by owner Max Whitby who has a long association with Munce as a jockey and trainer.
Munce continued his good recent run with a double at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday, giving him 11 winners in the past four weeks.