Pegus replaced Nicholas Hall and duly won on the Shane Fliedner-trained Rhodes Scholar ($3.70) in the $20,000 Ballarat Come To Life Maiden, 1600 metres.

Rhodes Scholar scored by a head over Venue ($4.40), with the Darren Weir-trained Undiscovered ($2.20 favourite) fading for third after getting to the lead at the top of the home straight.

It continues a frustrating run for the connections of Undiscovered, which has now had six seconds and four thirds in 11 career starts.

He has been sent out favourite in his past four starts.

The Bendigo-based Fliedner was pleased to see Rhodes Scholar finally lose his "non-winner's" tag.

The four-year-old arrived at Dowling Forest with two seconds and three thirds in 12 visits to the races and Fliedner wondered if this would be the day.

Rhodes Scholar seemed destined for another minor placing when Undiscovered put his nose in front.

The son of Honours List rallied to get back to the lead and then defy Venue.

Fliedner said Rhodes Scholar did not always try too hard, but with Undiscovered having similar issues breaking through, it had looked a race which gave him a real chance.

Hall was to have had six rides at the meeting, but was unable fulfill any of them.