PLEADEEL launched a successful interstate raid with a tough staying performance on Lismore Cup Day.

The original meeting had been washed out and transferred to Grafton, but PLEADEEL was kept up to the mark at home and she promptly scored her second win in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (2350m).

The mare settled in midfield and was always travelling sweetly under Courtney Bellamy, who was in the saddle for the first time.

After switching her to the inside, Bellamy gave PLEADEEL a shake of the reins and the 5YO responded with a gutsy finish to hold off her nearest rivals by a slender margin.

“It looked like the right race for her today, and in the end she was just too good for them,” said Michael.

“I really liked the way Courtney rode her today, she had to change course because she got onto the back of another one that didn’t really take her into the race. I’m not sure the horse loved the heavy track, but she had just enough left in the tank late so it was a good performance.”

Victory took her earnings to $66,000, many congratulations to all her owners: Mr T Chudziak, Mr A R Thompson, Mr D P Hansen, Mr T A J de Carteret, Saniuqa7 Racing, Mr B M Drinkwater, Mr S R Imlach, Mr A S Morrison, Mrs L G Morrison, DNT, 4Kings Racing, Mr S J McMahon.