Trainer Michael Nolan thought plunge horse Upstart Pride was a forlorn chance after it missed the start in the opening race at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

As much as $14 was offered about Upstart Pride when markets opened on Tuesday and he was backed into $3 at one stage before starting $4 in the Sky Racing Handicap (1000m).

Nolan and jockey Skye Bogenhuber thought all hope was gone when Upstart Pride was slow to start and settled near-last with a wall of horses in front of him.

However, Bogenhuber got Upstart Pride to the outside and he finished strongly to beat the favourite Worthy Cause ($1.75) by a half-length.

Nolan said Upstart Pride had not trialled officially but had shown plenty of ability in private jump outs.

"The funny thing is he has always been brilliant out of the boxes. When he missed the start today I thought he was a million to one," Nolan said.

"But he is pretty smart and that showed it."

He said Upstart Pride had taken time to get to the track because he had been sore on a couple of occasions.

Upstart Pride was bred by part owner Bob Frappell and is out of the former handy mare Proud.

"Proud was a city winner and she has produced several city winners including Zahas Pride who won in open company," Frappell said.

Bogenhuber was impressed by Upstart Pride's victory and predicted a big future for the juvenile.

"When I was back last I realised I had to get to the outside and once there he let down quickly," Bogenhuber said.

Upstart Pride clocked a slick 57.44s for the 1000m but the final leader-timed 600m sectional was 33.5s which meant the winner ran about 33 seconds flat.

"It shows what he can do. That is a very quick sectional for any standard of horse," Nolan said.