The John Maloney-trained Sea Spray had her supporters in the opening race at Caulfield and held on for victory over the luckless favourite Azkadellia.

Sea Spray, who firmed from $7 to $4.20 in Saturday's Yellowglen Plate (1400m), overcame a tardy start to work into a midfield position on the rails and then sprinted to the lead along the inside with less than 200m to run.

The previously unbeaten Azkadellia, the $2.50 favourite, settled at the back of the field but was a luckless runner in the straight with Michelle Payne having to change course twice on the filly to find clear running before she charged home over the final 100m.

Azkadellia, winner of her first two starts, got within a head of the winner on the line with 1-3/4-lengths to Shacarde in third.

Sea Spray, a daughter of Von Costa De Hero, notched her second win from five starts and her first in city grade.

Maloney is likely to find a race for the three-year-old during Melbourne Cup week at Flemington.

"We did muck the start up but after that she got in a running spot and was comfortable and we were good enough to win the race," Maloney said.

Payne said she thought she was going to be able to hold a spot closer on Azkadellia but was mindful to keep the filly in a rhythm and not get her over-racing so it didn't take away her greatest asset which is her turn of foot.