The Jane Clement-trained mare was having her 15th start and given the perfect run by Rachael Murray. The Scone-based jockey had Lady Balladeer positioned just behind the leaders and pounced in the straight to surge to the lead and then hold off the Mark Hatch-trained Blaine for a long neck win with Sue Grills’ Libby Tickets three quarters of a length away third.

While she was the third emergency and had not won in 14 previous starts, Clement never lost confidence in her.

“I’ve always had a good opinion of her. Always shown some ability but just couldn’t get her up,” she said.

Murray’s ride was another gem.

“She’s my right hand man,” Clement said of Murray.

Just where Lady Balladeer goes now will be determined by many factors.

Clement and Murray then teamed up Southern Orders to win the FSDP Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) with another copybook ride by the Scone jockey.

“It was a beautiful ride. She slotted into the one-one and always travelled beautifully,” Clement said.

“She’s a nice horse, been a bit green.”

Murray was delighted with the effort of Southern Orders.

“It’s easy when you are on good horses,” she said when congratulated by two of Southern Orders owners.

“She was always going to finish if off strongly and hit the line well.”

Scone trainer Greg Bennett started the day well when race favourite Ultimate Fantasy won the opening race, the Bath Stewart & associates Maiden Plate (1400m).

Whirlwind Ascent then won his first race for Muswellbrook trainer Mark Schmetzer when he overwhelmed his opposition to win the Thread Effects Class 1 Handicap (1400m).

The leggy son of Artie Schiller burst clear three or four horses to deep to secure a length and quarter win from Michelle Fleming’s Split The Atom with another Tamworth trained gelding, Blinkin Fast (Sue Grills) two lengths away third.

It was Whirlwind Ascent’s second win in six starts.

“I’ve only had him this prep,” Schmetzer said.

“He’s a beautiful horse. The tempo suited him today and class prevails. I’ve always thought he’s a bit green and a bit immature.”

He was delighted to have trained a winner for John Mullins and his Bonville Thoroughbreds.

“He’s been a great supporter,” he said.

Schmetzer also had unplaced Dormeuse engaged in the final race of the day and while he finished behind his stablemate, Schmetzer believes there is plenty of upside in him.

“There was more merit in her run that it looks. She’ll improve off that – so will this bloke,” he said of Whirlwind Ascent.