A brave ride from apprentice Michael Palmer helped steer Gold Coast mare Insistence to an upset win in the Listed Carlton Draught Classic Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.Trainer Gillian Heinrich conceded the five-year-old mare's victory was a pleasant surprise despite her victory in restricted company at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.Insistence jumped from the extreme outside barrier in the big field for the 1200m feature but Palmer booted her straight to the front where she stayed to win by 1-3/4
A brave ride from apprentice Michael Palmer helped steer Gold Coast mare Insistence to an upset win in the Listed Carlton Draught Classic Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trainer Gillian Heinrich conceded the five-year-old mare's victory was a pleasant surprise despite her victory in restricted company at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.
Insistence jumped from the extreme outside barrier in the big field for the 1200m feature but Palmer booted her straight to the front where she stayed to win by 1-3/4 lengths over the Rob Heathcote-trained favourite On The Fridge.
Insistence, who was an $85,000 buy at the Magic Millions yearling sales, has now won six of her 20 starts and will chase further stakes money at the Magic Millions day on her home track on January 10.
"It was a great ride from Matty," Heinrich said.
"She's been going enormous but this was a Listed race and she drew barrier 21.
"I thought she had a chance but she had a lot against her and the win did surprise me."
Heinrich has had to manage the daughter of Black Hawk carefully throughout her career.
"She's a big mare and has taken time to mature," Heinrich said.
"She had a little throat problem last campaign but I decided against her having an operation for it.
"Since she's come back this preparation she hasn't put a foot wrong."
Heathcote was delighted with On The Fridge's effort and will continue with plans to head towards next year's Brisbane winter carnival with the five-year-old.
Jockey Shane Scriven gave Heathcote a glowing report and declared she was looking for more ground.
"She's screaming out for further. She really let down well at the top of the straight and she would have won if it was a bit further," Scriven said.
Heathcote plans to give On The Fridge another chance at black-type glory in a fortnight before spelling her to prepare for the winter.
"I honestly believe she'll measure up to the winter races next year and I'm looking at the Glenlogan Park Stakes and the Winter Stakes," Heathcote said.
"Full credit to Gillian for winning but I couldn't be more delighted with my mare's effort."
The Winter Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares is traditionally the last Group One race of the season at Eagle Farm in June.