First Queensland winner for Richard Litt

Richard Litt trained his first Queensland winner with his first runner in the state as Il Mio Destino landed some big bets at the Gold Coast.

Il Mio Destino, backed from $9 into $5.50, was in a feisty mood on the way to the barrier when she kicked up her back legs on several occasions.

But she made it safely to the starting gates and went on to beat Hard Stride ($4.20) by a short half head in the Haneco Lighting Open Handicap (1100m).

Warwick Farm-based Litt took over training from his father Jim in December and has had a steady stream of winners.

"We have 16 in work at the moment. We thought this would be a nice race for Il Mio Destino who usually races well when on the fresh side," Litt said.

"She will go to stud now but we might bring her back after she gets in foal to race for a while."

Il Mio Destino has now won eight races and more than $320,000 in prize money.

Litt, 28, originally from New Zealand, has been involved in horses for most of his life through show jumping and thoroughbreds.

He has worked for top trainers Graeme Rogerson, John O'Shea and Bart Cummings.

It was Litt's seventh winner from his past 50 runners.