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

Four horses of Cairns developer Tom Hedley's ownership group staked strong claims as prime candidates for upcoming northern carnival riches with slashing performances at Townsville's Cluden Park on Tuesday.

Leading North Queensland trainer Stephen Massingham will be guided by Brilliant Mind’s performance in the Banana Cup at Innisfail on Saturday before deciding whether the gelding tackles the Cairns Cup later this month.

Improving galloper Brilliant Mind can stake a serious claim for a Country Cups campaign if the rising six-year-old completes a hat-trick of wins at Townsville on Tuesday.