Nicole Tovey said she is still on “cloud nine” after winning her class at the Australian Arnold Classic in Melbourne last week.

Tovey, competing in her native Australia for the first time, produced her best performance with a top finish in the bikini open class before finishing second in the masters.

The 40-year-old’s pair of podium finishes follow on from her second in the bikini open and third in the masters at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, earlier this month.

“My first international win on home ground with my family watching couldn’t have been better,” Tovey said.

“I want to keep the momentum and get back in front of the judges as soon as possible. It was my best physique and showing to date and I’m absolutely elated.”

Tovey’s win took her a significant step closer to earning an elusive IBFF pro card, which will enable her to compete at professional shows for cash prizes.

A slight relaxation of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness rules have improved her chances.

“If I win my class at the next available competition then I will get it,” said Tovey, a lawyer at Taylors in association with Walkers. “My hard work, determination and perseverance is paying off and I definitely have to give thanks to [coach] Muhsin Nasir for continuing to push me to my best.”

Tovey missed out on the final of the Arnold Classic Europe in Barcelona in October last year but had two podium finishes at the EVLS Prague in the Czech Republic — third in the bikini open and second in the masters — a week later.

She also entered the Australian Arnold Model Search in Melbourne, which included an online photographic round before a live round showcasing fitness and evening wear.

“I didn’t place but it was a fun experience,” Tovey added. “It was great to do something different and a bit more relaxed, and I met a lot of fantastic people.”