In what was his 12^th start, Scienta drew well in barrier five while the bulk of the favourites were much wider.

Rachael Murray, who picked up the ride after Aaron Bullock was unable to make the trip, jumped out well and got to the lead and was able to hold off a number of others who came at her and Scienta late on.

It was the kind of run Davies and partner Mel Dennett had been wanting, after he missed the start and had to settled deep last time out at Tamworth.

“He’s a staying type, go forward and he did it today and it was good. About time,” Dennett told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the win.

“She’s promised a lot so he’s just taken a long time to mature.”

Murray was also delighted, firstly to get the ride and then win one of Racing NSW’s new Maiden Plate events which are worth $40,000.

“Pick-up rides are great, aren’t they. I hope Aaron’s alright but thanks for that, it was lovely,” she said. “He was really comfortable there (at the front), I know I was probably going a little bit quick but he was comfortable there and that’s probably what broke the hearts of those behind.”

Scienta ($11) got out well and then led them around the bend as Bow Tie Benny ($7) and fellow fancied chances Wacky Doo ($3.80 favourite) and Western Parade ($6) moved around the outside.

But there was too much work for them to do as Murray hung on to win by a quarter-of-a-length from Bow Tie Benny while Princess Keeping ($26) held on well to get third from Wacky Doo.