Promising Brisbane stayer Pop `N' Scotch's Sydney trip is off and the gelding will be aimed at the major winter carnival staying races.

Pop `N' Scotch ran second to Rock The Pack over 2200 metres at Doomben on Saturday, an effort that pleased trainer Liam Birchley but not enough to convince him he was ready for Sydney.

Rock The Pack raced past Pop `N' Scotch near the 200m but Pop `N' Scotch fought back to get within a half neck of the winner.

Birchley said Pop `N' Scotch had not been suited by the heavy ground.

"He does get through soft going but the heavy tracks find him out," Birchley said.

Birchley had been looking at sending Pop `N' Scotch south for some of the staying races during the carnival.

"We are behind the eight-ball for a Sydney trip and he just isn't ready," he said.

"But he is on song for the winter carnival."

Pop `N' Scotch ran second in last year's Queensland Cup over 3200m as a three-year-old.

"I think he is better than Queensland Cup standard now. I will be looking at races such as the Caloundra Cup and Brisbane Cup during the winter."

One horse who also cruising along nicely for the winter is two-year-old Wicked Intent.

His former jockey Chris Munce, who now trains the youngster, led in his first Doomben winner with Lucky Black on Saturday and now has his sights on a first stakes win.

"Wicked Intent has had a jump-out and will have another one next week," Munce said.

"Then he will resume in the Ken Russell Memorial at the Gold Coast on April 25.

"From there we will be working towards the BRC Sires and J J Atkins Stakes in late May-June.

"He is pleasing me at the moment and I am obviously keen to get my first black type winner."