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Stephen Massingham will have rival trainer Alex Malliff to partly thank if Bold Type makes a return to winning form at Townsville’s Cluden Park on Friday.

Bold Type and Silent Explorer will be joined by four stable mates from Stephen Massingham's team in Cairns for the four-and-a-half hour road trip to Townsville.

Both eight-year-olds - Bold Type and Silent Explorer - are at the beginning of their new campaigns with Bold Type starting for the second time this spring while Silent Explorer has had two starts back.

Massingham's stable was over flowing with horses during the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival and there wasn't room for Bold Type when he was ready to return to work.

"I had about 30 horses in work and there's wasn't any room for him so I sent him to Alex(Malliff) who pre-trained him for me," Massingham said.

Bold Type made his racing return at Ewan last month where he finished fifth, beaten less than three lengths, by the John Manzelmann-trained Mister Larrabee in a Country Stampede qualifier over 1000 metres.

"His run at Ewan was very good considering it was his first start in nearly a year," Massingham said.

"Ryan Wiggins is riding him in Townsville and he should be very competitive."

Massingham also believes Silent Explorer will race well but gives Bold Type a slight edge.

Silent Explorer beat only one runner home when 11th to the talented Ruby July in an 1100 metre Open Handicap at Innisfail on September 30.