The three-year-old lugged 60 kilograms throughout the 1400 metres maiden on a heavy eight in wet conditions.

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Bartley has always had faith Higgins will step out over further distance and with his first victory in the books the trainer is considering a trip to the Grafton Carnival.

"He showed a lot of determination with 60 and on that sort of track," Bartley told Sky Racing.

"[Alysha Collett] just had to hold her spot when she did. I think if she hands it up, she doesn't win, so she definitely done the right thing there.

"He's screaming out for a mile so hopefully he'll go to the Grafton Guineas."

The day was one dominated by visiting horses, multiple runners scratched as the track was downgraded to a heavy nine midway through the day.

Godolphin filly La Sagra finally broke through for the first victory of her career while the Snowden's Yangarra Rose was dominant in winning a 1200m class one by three-lengths.

Robert and Luke Price experienced a mixed day in the city, promising two-year-old Verbek finishing sixth in the opening race before Count De Rupee came home late to run third in a 1300m BenchMark 78.

Liveinthefastlane struggled in heavy going to run 11th in the last, behind Gwenda Markwell's Gemmahra, who was an impressive third.