Lismore trainer Dan Bowen's plan to keep classy mare Queen of Kingston in the weakest company has paid off with a win at Ipswich.

Leading northern rivers jockey Matt McGuren made a rare Saturday visit to Queensland to steer Queen of Kingston ($4.60) to a head victory over Silvera ($7.50) in the Ipswich Mile (1666m).

She won the Casino Beef Week Cup at her previous start and it convinced Bowen to give her a chance in a winter carnival race.

“I had her in the Gai Waterhouse Stakes today but in the end I accepted in this race,” Bowen said.

“It was much weaker and I think we can head to Caloundra in two weeks and look for the weakest race we can find again.”

Queen of Kingston has now won seven races and Bowen realises her immediate future will be in metropolitan racing.

“She is a funny mare with a few quirks but she can gallop,” he added.

McGuren said he had a nice run one off the fence in mid field and was able to work into the race at the right time.

“When we turned she had them covered quickly,” he added.