David Payne has demonstrated his support for juvenile staying races with half the field in the 1800m event at the Randwick public holiday meeting.

Before coming to Australia at the turn of the century, Payne forged a successful training career in South Africa where distance races for two-year-olds were part of the program.

Racing NSW introduced the concept a few years ago to try to give the youngsters a foundation for the spring.

"I like staying races for two-year-olds," Payne said.

"They are bred to run it and many of them are looking for the distance.

"All three of mine will run and we will see how they go."

Still The Same, Lucky Coin and Fortune's Choice run in the Significant Prelude on Monday.

It is a lead-up race to the Significant Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on June 28 where the two-year-olds are pitted against the three-year-olds.

If they perform well, Payne's charges could find themselves up against their older stablemates Double Eagle and Devil Miss who also run over 1800 metres in Monday's Hyland Race Colours Handicap.

Double Eagle and Devil Miss finished second and third respectively behind Flying Sebring in the two-year-old distance race a year ago.

Payne will be catching up with the results from Europe after leaving Sydney on Sunday for a two-week holiday in Italy.

He is looking forward to the break but also to getting back to work in earnest with the stable's flag bearer Criterion who is back in training.

"He has come back in great order," Payne said.

"He looks beautiful. He has really bloomed during his spell."

The winner of the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby, Criterion will be set for the Cox Plate.

"I don't think he is a true 2400 metre horse," Payne said.

"He won the Derby on class.

"The plan is to start him off in Sydney and to give him at least one run at Moonee Valley before the Cox Plate."