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Trainer Stephen Massingham is hoping his team in Cairns on Thursday can help pay the expenses for a recent holiday in the United States.

Trainer Stephen Massingham is hoping his team in Cairns on Thursday can help pay the expenses for a recent holiday in the United States.

Massingham has eight acceptors on the eight-race program spearheaded by Bold Type and Battle Cry in the Open Handicap over 950 metres.

"I got back this week after spending three weeks in the United States and it was a great visit," Massingham said.

"We flew to Los Angeles and went to New Orleans and drove from the west coast to New York.

"While we were there we went to Churchill Downs in Louisville where they run the Kentucky Derby.

"It was a great experience."

Massingham has given punters a lead with his preference for Bold Type over his stable mate Battle Cry.

"Both are eight-year-olds and they'll race on until it's time for them to retire," Massingham said.

Bold Type is looking for his first win this campaign after registering four placings from his past six appearances.

At his most recent outing, Bold Type finished third in a field of five behind stable mate Brilliant Mind in a 1400 metre Open Handicap at Cairns on November 24.

"His last run was good as he was backing up five days after running third in Townsville," Massingham said.

"He's dropping back in distance from 1400 this time and he might find it a tad short but he should have won in Townsville."

Bold Type has won five times over 950 metres while Battle Cry is yet to win in five attempts over the journey and has won once in eight first-up starts.

Battle Cry is a 10-time winner during his 42-start career but hasn't raced since finishing second to the Joanna Hassett -trained Zouvilla in a 1400 metre Open Handicap at Townsville in May.

"Battle Cry generally takes a run or two to find his best but he'll be competitive and it won't surprise me to see him run a big race," Massingham said.

"I got both of these horses when they were Class 1 gallopers and they've been consistent right through their careers."