The decision to use an apprentice's claim on tiny mare Little Brown Horse has proved a winning one at the Sunshine Coast.

Little Brown Horse ($6) came from last to beat the Robert Heathcote-trained pair Lordag ($3.20) and Sea Red ($3.80) in Saturday's Sky Racing Open (1600m).

Trainer Kelly Doughty originally planned to use senior rider Geoff Goold when she thought the mare would get 56.5kg.

"They re-scaled the race and we got 57 kilograms," Doughty said.

"She has never won with more than 56kg so we decided to use Matt McGillivray's two kilo claim.

"She is only 15.2 hands and we have to manage her weights. We tried to get a wild card into the Magic Millions mares race but she was third at the Gold Coast last week.

"Now we will bring her back here for the $100,000 Sunshine Coast Cup on January 26."

Little Brown Horse lifted her prize money to $461,000 with the win, a great return for a home-bred mare by low key sire Waterford Road.

Heathcote said his pair had their chances and complimented the heart of Little Brown Horse.

Trainer Bryan Guy believes he has a genuine Queensland Derby hopeful after Eagle Way ($4.60) won the Coastline BMW Three Year old (1800m).

Eagle Way, who is owned by leading Hong Kong trainer John Moore, has won his past three starts in impressive style.

"John will be ringing tonight and I will recommend we give Eagle Way a break and then set him for the Queensland Derby," Guy said.

"Not many horses can sit three and four deep and win a race as easily as he did.

"Eagle Way gives every indication the 2400 metres of the Derby and Eagle Farm will suit him."

Trainer Jason McLachlan's good recent run continued when Divine Service ($9) won the Access Insulation Hcp (1200m).

"While he is no star he has won nearly $200,000 for his owners the Piccone family who have been very good to me."

"I always seem to fire around Christmas time," McLachlan said.

"Lets hope it continues next week when I have Dieters in the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic.

McLachlan who won the race in 2009 with Phelan Ready who went on to win the Golden Slipper.