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Trainer Max Hinton claimed a trip to Queensland was the grounding that prepared his mare Sophie's Spirit for her upset win at Flemington today.

Hinton said it was a great result for his family after Sophie's Spirit held off the late charging Sydney mare Little Surfer Girl for a game win in the Group 3 Herald Sun Stakes over 1400m.

Sophie's Spirit followed in her mother's footsteps as her victory came nine years after her dam Sophie Princess, who was also trained by Hinton, won a mares race at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.

“It's been a good day for us,” the Mornington trainer said.

“We've never had a big race win but this is still certainly a thrill.

“One of my best clients bred her and he was unable to race anymore so I've carried on with her but he will be very happy.

“We took her to Queensland to grow her up and make her a racehorse.

"She wintered up there and it taught her to be a racehorse and she's come back and done the job.

“She has always been talented but she didn't really know the game and it certainly worked well for her.

“She was supposed to run at Moonee Valley but she had a bit of a tying up episode and we elected to scratch her and get her right.”

Sydney based jockey Glyn Schofield paid tribute to the fight the winner showed in the tight finish after racing on the slower inside section of the track from the rails barrier.

“It wasn't the place to be but she is a fighter and she has been pretty strong on the line,” Schofield said.

“She only just prevailed but she got the prize.

“She responded to me every time I asked her. I couldn't get any indication that there was anything coming after me so I was happy where I was.”