Wet weather over the past few weeks has forced trainer Ross Stitt to implement Plan B with Youthful Jack and send him first-up to the Ramornie Handicap.
The South Grafton Cup (1600m), won on Sunday by Gazza Guru, was the original target but Youthful Jack's lead-up races were washed out.
Instead he has had two barrier trials to get him ready for Wednesday's 1200m sprint with Robert Thompson giving him the stamp of approval for the Listed Ramornie after riding him to a seven-length win in a 1000m heat on Friday.
"The weather interrupted my plans," Stitt said.
"I wanted to give him two races going to the South Grafton Cup but both meetings were abandoned so I had to go to Plan B.
"He's very difficult to place now so we have to hand pick the races for him.
"He finished fourth in the Ramornie last year and I expect him to go well again.
"Robert rode him in the trial and said he would ride him in the Ramornie and that's good enough for me."
The Taree trainer and the veteran jockey have a long and successful association.
They combined with Heavenly Glow, who was transferred to Allan Denham for a Sydney campaign which reaped Group One wins in the Arrowfield Stakes and Australian Oaks, and prolific country Cups and Launceston Cup winner Precise Timing.
Despite their imposing records, Youthful Jack has bragging rights over the pair as a million-dollar earner which he achieved with his defence of the Listed Thomas Lyons (1400m) in Hobart in February.
Tasmania is again on the radar in the summer and Stitt will look for some Listed sprints in Brisbane later in the winter.
Youthful Jack has barrier six in the 14-horse field for the Ramornie with last year's winner Howmuchdoyouloveme to jump from 10.
Despite having to carry 60.5kg, Howmuchdoyouloveme is the $4 favourite on TAB's fixed odds ahead of last-start Sydney winner Big Bonanza at $5.50 with Youthful Jack a $26 chance.