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Patience is a virtue – and Mitch Newman certainly has it. That showed at Canberra on Sunday when the young Hawkesbury trainer scored with odds-on favorite Supreme Escape.

With Christian Reith aboard, three-year-old Supreme Escape ($1.85) broke through at only her second start in the Maiden Plate (1000m). Newman has taken his time with the Dreamscape filly, which did not race as a two-year-old.

He gave her two trials before making her debut on her home track on September 21 when a promising third to Pleasantries in an 1100m maiden. But she did not appear again at the races until Sunday.

“Supreme Escape lightened off after that first run and I gave her three weeks in the paddock,” Newman explained. “She has been back in the stable for four weeks and was ready for today’s race.”

Newman also added blinkers to the filly’s gear and she jumped brilliantly but was forced to race wide sharing the lead until the home turn.

“You were probably giggling then when she moved up strongly,” Newman said. “My only worry was whether she would tire over the last bit, but she dug deep. It was a good effort. There is definitely more improvement in her and hopefully she will continue to strengthen up.”

Newman had hoped for a Canberra double, but unfortunately his $2.50 favourite Marrock (Reith) could finish only fourth to Orange Time in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m).

Nonetheless it has been an excellent start to the season for Newman. He notched his first training double at Muswellbrook on October 24 (with Sulien and Miss Casier) and then scored with Final Impulse at home on November 9.

View the full results with race replays for Canberra here