Damien Oliver was adamant Suavito would have been a tragedy beaten had she not burst through to win the Catanach's Jewellers Plate at Caulfield on Saturday.

Locked away on the rails behind the leader, the well-supported favourite Suavito ($2.80) didn't get a clear run until late in the 1400-metre race.

But she produced a big finish to defeat Lorna May by a nose with Winta Chiller another short neck away third.

"She did a remarkable job to get out and pick them up because she got out really late and flew when she did," Oliver said.

"It was an excellent effort. Got me out of jail."

Suavito, resuming for the first time since her sixth in the ATC Australian Oaks in April, claimed her third win from her 10th start.