Damien Oliver is the frontrunner to partner former Victorian Barlinnie when he returns to his old stamping ground.Now trained on the Gold Coast by Trevor Bailey, Barlinnie is booked to leave Queensland on Monday week to begin his build-up to the Group Two Blamey Stakes (1600m) in March.Barlinnie was previously trained by Peter Moody in Melbourne but was sold after 12 starts to a Queensland syndicate when earlier plans to sell him to Hong Kong fell through after the breakout of equine influenza.T

Damien Oliver is the frontrunner to partner former Victorian Barlinnie when he returns to his old stamping ground.

Now trained on the Gold Coast by Trevor Bailey, Barlinnie is booked to leave Queensland on Monday week to begin his build-up to the Group Two Blamey Stakes (1600m) in March.

Barlinnie was previously trained by Peter Moody in Melbourne but was sold after 12 starts to a Queensland syndicate when earlier plans to sell him to Hong Kong fell through after the breakout of equine influenza.

The son of St. Petersburg produced an eye-catching performance in his Queensland debut to finish eighth to Friendly Embrace in Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 6 before claiming the Listed Doomben Stakes (1350m) a fortnight later.

The five-year-old then failed to handle a seven-day back-up at his next outing when he was caught wide but still ran a gallant eighth to Pepperwood in the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m).

Bailey worked for five years as an assistant trainer to his father Alan Bailey in Melbourne before training for two years in his own right in Singapore where his career highlight was winning the Group Two Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) with Light Of Success in 2005.

Bailey has no plans to give Barlinnie a barrier trial ahead of his trip south and has pencilled in two lead-up races for the gelding before he attempts to avenge his Blamey Stakes defeat of last year.

Barlinnie led everywhere but the last stride in the 2008 Blamey where he was nabbed by The Fuzz.

"He's fit and doesn't need a trial before I take him away," Bailey said.

"He'll go down by float and will leave on Monday week.

"I've already spoken to Damien Oliver about riding him and he's got the first offer."

Barlinnie will have his first Melbourne start for Bailey in a 1400-metre Open at Caulfield on February 7 before the Group Three Carlyon Cup (1400m) at Caulfield on February 21.

"He had a week off in the paddock after his last run in Brisbane and he's going along nicely," Bailey said.

Bailey plans only a short Melbourne stint with Barlinnie who will then return home for the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast and the Group One Doomben Cup (2020m) in May.