Despite being trapped three wide for most of the trip, Nicotera ($5.50) finished powerfully out wide on the track to claim the $22,000 Maiden Plate, (1200m) with Jordan Mallyon aboard.

Longshot All Dreams ($26) flashed home for second to be beaten a length

Race favourite Rockness Angel ($2.90) was just under a further length away in third.

Trained on the track by Geoff Duryea, Nicotera was having his first start as a three-year-old after resuming from a 16-week spell.

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The son of Nicconi had two unplaced runs in strong Showcase races as a two-year-old in April and early May.

Duryea said Nicconi was an immature galloper in his first preparation and had benefited immensely from gaining some valuable race experience.

"I thought it was a promising debut at Albury," Duryea said.

"He then went to Wagga over the carnival and nothing much went right for him that day.

"The jockey Billy Owen thought he wasn't quite right on the day, so we gave him a good spell.

"He trialled well at Berrigan recently and I gave him a real strong chance heading into the race.

"I thought we might have been in a bit trouble when he was caught that wide first-up from a spell.

"But the horse did a terrific job."