Top Gold Coast apprentice Matthew Palmer and former Rockhampton junior Chris McIver laid a few personal demons to rest with a successful day at Doomben.Palmer, 22, gave his first hint he could turn his back on Sydney racing for the more leisurely Queensland lifestyle after landing his first winner since making a surprise return home 10 days ago when he won aboard Redoute's Choice debutant Bonne Affaire in the Eventide Nursing Home Hcp (1200m).McIver, 21, earlier won the Carlton Draught Plate (20
Top Gold Coast apprentice Matthew Palmer and former Rockhampton junior Chris McIver laid a few personal demons to rest with a successful day at Doomben.
Palmer, 22, gave his first hint he could turn his back on Sydney racing for the more leisurely Queensland lifestyle after landing his first winner since making a surprise return home 10 days ago when he won aboard Redoute's Choice debutant Bonne Affaire in the Eventide Nursing Home Hcp (1200m).
McIver, 21, earlier won the Carlton Draught Plate (2050m) aboard Chelle's Alibi for his new boss, Liam Birchley.
McIver recently transferred his indentures from central Queensland trainer Garnett Taylor following a self-imposed five-month exile from riding to sort out a few personal problems.
Palmer has been riding successfully in Sydney for the past 10 months where he finished second, four wins behind Peter Wells, in the battle to become Sydney's champion apprentice last season.
He completes his indentures to Rosehill trainer Tim Martin in November and returned home to continue his career while the Sydney spring carnival is underway.
He has given himself a mid-October deadline to decide where his future will be.
"That's my first winner in about 10 rides since I've been home but it's too early to say whether I'll be back for good," Palmer said.
"But if winners like this continue then I could well stay here for good."
Palmer enjoys riding in Sydney but prefers Queensland's lifestyle and enjoys being closer to his family and friends at the Gold Coast.
Palmer, who rode more than 40 metropolitan and provincial winners during his Sydney stint, only started riding four years ago and is the son of former top international jockey, Gary Palmer.
His brother Michael is also based on the Gold Coast and is another of Queensland's star apprentices.
Bonne Affaire's trainer Kelly Schweida believes the penny has only just dropped with the four-year-old mare.
"She went shin sore twice and had a bad cold but she's only just starting to put it all together," Schweida said.
The mare had stifle problems when she was went through the Magic Millions sales for $50,000 but owner Kevin Dixon believes her value has quadrupled following her city victory.
McIver landed his first Brisbane winner at Doomben last February before taking five months off to ponder his future.
"I just needed a break so I took five months off and only returned to riding about a month ago," McIver said.
McIver, who is 165 centimetres tall, has no problems with his weight and is the envy of a lot of jockeys.
Birchley believes McIver has a bright future and had no hesitation taking him on as his apprentice when he heard he was moving to Brisbane.
"He's a good rider and can claims three kilos off the minimum. He only weighs 46 kilos," Birchley said.