Lightly raced filly Summer Flame delivered a surprise victory in the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone, earning valuable black-type for owners Rosemont Stud.

Sent out at $61, the three-year-old was making her NSW debut after a solid start to her career in Victoria, including a metropolitan win and two placings. She transitioned smoothly to stakes company, surging to the front in the straight and holding off equal favourites Gerringong and Thames in a tight finish where less than a length separated the first six fillies.

Summer Flame had raced on top of the speed in her previous starts, but trainer Chris Waller’s representative Charlie Duckworth said they instructed jockey Jeff Penza to adopt a more conservative approach on Saturday.

“She is a filly who is a bit highly strung so we asked Jeff to look after her and just basically work with her,” Duckworth said. “She was a massive price but had a bit of a wrap on her.”

Duckworth also praised Penza’s efforts, particularly after the jockey had ridden trackwork for the stable earlier in the morning before making the three-hour trek to Scone.

Penza admitted he was surprised by how well Summer Flame travelled in the race: “She is on her way up, I think.”