Apprentice Michael Palmer is returning home to ride permanently in Queensland after a successful stint in Sydney.Palmer, 20, moved to Sydney eight months ago to try his luck after being approached to join trainer Con Karakatsanis at Rosehill.He already has four early rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday, including the Michael Nolan-trained pair of Palace Lover and Gold Rating.Palmer, who will be based at the Gold Coast, still has eight wins left before he forfeits his two kilogram claim.His apprentic

Apprentice Michael Palmer is returning home to ride permanently in Queensland after a successful stint in Sydney.

Palmer, 20, moved to Sydney eight months ago to try his luck after being approached to join trainer Con Karakatsanis at Rosehill.

He already has four early rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday, including the Michael Nolan-trained pair of Palace Lover and Gold Rating.

Palmer, who will be based at the Gold Coast, still has eight wins left before he forfeits his two kilogram claim.

His apprenticeship expires in six months but he's hopeful of gaining an extension if he still has an allowance.

Palmer, who has only been riding for three years, enjoyed his time competing against some of the country's best jockeys in Sydney but is looking forward to the challenge of returning to the Gold Coast.

"Home is home and I've been starting to get a little homesick," Palmer said.

"I've been here in Sydney by myself and I miss home a little.

"I came here for the experience and I've got what I wanted."

Palmer left Queensland after claiming two Gold Coast apprentices' championships and a second place to Mandy Radecker in the Brisbane apprentices' title two seasons ago.

"I've ridden around 180 winners so far in my career but when I get back home I'm there to stay and want to build up a good clientele base again," he said.

"Since I've been in Sydney I've ridden around 30 winners and really enjoyed my time.

"The experience was the main reason for leaving Queensland and I've learned a hell of a lot riding in Sydney.

"It's a different ball game in Sydney. You have to do things twice as quick.

"I think I'm a better rider now and I've improved quite a lot. I'm a better judge of pace now."

Apart from Karakatsanis, Palmer rode mostly for David Payne during his Sydney stint.

"Con was great and was the one who encouraged me to try my luck in Sydney," he said.

"I rode a lot for David Payne but Bart Cummings and Grahame Begg also helped me with rides when I first started off."

Palmer is the brother of Matt Palmer, who also had a successful riding stint in Sydney before returning home last year.

Their father, Gary Palmer, is a former international jockey who is a trackwork rider for Gerald Ryan at Murwillumbah.

Michael Palmer rode at the Randwick meeting in Sydney on Wednesday and was due to drive home to the Gold Coast on Thursday.