Trainer Noel Doyle feared he had gambled and lost when promising filly Aimee was caught deep in Heartkids Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

But his frown turned to a sigh of relief when jockey Jason Taylor threw his instructions out the window, went to the lead and scored a win which had winter carnival hope written all over it.

Starting favourite, Aimee ($2.60) held on to score by a half neck to Game of Fame ($9) with a half length to No Problem ($5) in third place.

Doyle said despite Aimee drawing the outside alley on Saturday, he gambled on backing up her up from her win at Doomben last start because of the way race programming was structured.

Aimee will spell after her next start and then be set for the Group Two BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) and the Group One JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) in the winter.

Taylor said he had no choice but to lead and it was a good win.

"Nothing went to script but she still won. She can win a good race," Taylor said.

Aimee's win continued a great association between Doyle and the Kling family, the filly's owners.

They have combined for many wins with their best horses the Group Two QTC Cup winner Celtic Dancer and the recently retired stayer Noble Jester.

Meanwhile, popular jockey Dan Griffin made a successful return from 15 months on the sidelines with a win in the aptly named Dan Griffin's Back Handicap (1100m) at the Gold Coast.

Griffin, who has won six Gold Coast premierships, led all the way to win on the favourite Deuced ($2).