Bodine Bailey to cash carnival chex

By Jordan Gerrans

Youthful trainer Bodine Bailey has been handed a perfect opportunity to kick-start his own training tenure during the upcoming Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

Bailey has been a long-term stable foreman for his father Alwyn who has trained out of Cairns’ Cannon Park for decades.

The 23-year-old Bailey has recently acquired his own boxes at the FNQ venue, which is now housing the reigning Cairns Amateur Cup champion Cashin' Chex.

Cashin' Chex was trained out of Mackay when he travelled north to claim the $150,000 prize in the 2100 metre event in the middle of September last year.

Top NQ hoop Lacey Morrison did the steering when Cashin' Chex scored in the 2024 Cairns Amateur Cup. 

Bailey launched his own stable earlier this year and in his first two starters, Morrison did the riding. 

The rookie trainer’s connection with leading local rider Morrison helped Sydney-based owner Adam Tutty make his decision around the future of his seven-time career winner. 

“The owners were keen for Lacey to keep riding the horse and Lacey rides all my horses,” Bailey said.

“She is off injured at the moment. I was recommended to take on the horse and they rang me up and offered me the horse.

“I didn’t really have room in the stables for any more horses, but you make room for horses like this. I think his best distance is around a mile.”

Cashin' Chex – who has won from 1200 metres up to 2100 metres - has not been at the races since having a Brisbane campaign through the recent summer months.

Bailey is hopeful of giving the Kiwi-bred galloper his first-up assignment in around six weeks and is keen to target the Cleveland Bay Handicap at Cluden Park from there. 

He is likely to progress north through the carnival from there. 

Cashin' Chex finished third in the Cleveland Bay last year, he landed in the same position in the Cairns Cup before prevailing in the Amateur Cup not long after. 

Bailey has been helping his old man for around eight years and says the timing was right to launch his own team.

“I am going to turn 24 soon and he has taught me a lot over the years,” he said.

“I just thought I had the right people around me and a few owners that wanted me to train for them. I have kicked off from there.”

Since taking his first horse to the races in the middle of April, Bailey has had eight starters in his own name for five minor placings. 

He is hopeful of nabbing his maiden victory on Saturday when he takes two gallopers to Townsville’s Cluden Park. 

He will have Injada in the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1000 metres while in the Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1200 metres Bailey will give a stable debut to Substance. 

Substance has one win from 13 career starts with three more minor finishes. 

The five-year-old gelding has gone through the hands of a number of trainers in recent years as he has troubles with his barrier manners. 

Bailey is hopeful he is finally on top of those barrier concerns. 

“I have got plenty of time for this horse,” he said of Substance. 

“He is the best horse I have ever had I reckon but he has problems with the gates. He goes good.

“Every person that has ridden him for me have said how good he works.”

Bailey has four in work and is mentored by leading FNQ trainer Stephen Massingham. 

Injada has accounted for four of Bailey’s five career top three finishes and the trainer is hopeful the gelding will finally break through on Saturday. 

“We got him cheap,” he said.

“He has had five starts for four cheques – he has been a bit unlucky. I think he will be competitive at Townsville on Saturday with a light weight. We just need a bit of luck.”