Second Time lucky

Advice from top hoop winning for Bailey

THE stable is flying, proclaimed larrikin Cairns trainer Alwyn Bailey.

The Cannon Park-based trainer claimed the $75,000 Cairns Amateurs Cup earlier this year with Ranked and found another winner down at Ingham’s Herbert River Jockey Club on Saturday afternoon.

Second Time Around did not have much form coming into the Class B Handicap (1000m) but the trainer was confident.

The five-year-old ran eighth of 12 at Cannon Park last month but visiting hoop Justin Stanley was bullish about the chestnut gelding’s chances going forward.

Bailey legged jockey Manabu Kai aboard this time and Stanley was on the money as Second Time Around scored by over a length from Princess Celestia, trained by Robert Kirkwood, in the third of five races.

“JP Stanley said it would win next start and that is exactly what it has done,” Bailey said. “He was spot on.

“It is good when you can get some advice from the top jockeys like that.

“He has been working good, he is looking a million dollars and he raced accordingly.

“Me stable is flying, which is the main thing.”

With Townsville’s Cluden Park to host racing on Friday afternoon, Bailey hinted at a return for his stable star Ranked.

The nine-year-old gelding has had just two starts since winning the Amateurs Cup but will have one last run this preparation at Townsville.

“Ranked will probably go down and then go for a spell after that,” Bailey said.

Earlier in the day, at Ingham, trainer Roy Chillemi and jockey Stephen Wilson combined with Pincer Strike to claim the Benchmark 60 Handicap (1200m) while Far North hoop Amanda Thomson rode a winner for Gary Townsend.

Meanwhile, leading Tablelands jockey Wanderson D’Avila scored a double at Mackay Turf Club on Friday afternoon.

The well-travelled Brazilian delivered two winners for the Lyle Wright stable over the seven-race program.

Cluden Park will host a meeting this Friday ahead of a TAB meeting at Cairns Jockey Club on Saturday afternoon.