The University Oval groundsman was positively glowing about what is essentially a weed.
All the valuable sunlight Dunedin has been bathing in during the past few weeks has left the playing surface looking pristine ahead of what will be the biggest week of his career.
The Black Caps will host South Africa at the ground. The test gets under way on Wednesday and it will be the 41-year-old's international debut.
That sunlight has given him some good healthy grass to work with. And that is about the best a groundsman can hope for.
''It is your baby,'' Davies said looking down at the pitch.
''We've been battling into the wind with a wet sail all summer. Because of the [poor] weather the grass has been weak and unhappy.
''But all of a sudden, pow. Now we've got a strip of grass that we can do what we want to do to it.''
The University Oval has undergone a serious makeover since last season.
The embankments have been expanded and give the venue a much more princely feel. And perched at the top of grassy mounds is a new chunky wooden fence.
It went up in the last few weeks and frames the boutique venue nicely. The shrubs are still finding their feet but offer a good glimpse of their potential.
The temporary seating and raised platform will add plenty of theatre when full with people. And the playing surface it towers above is looking pampered and well-groomed.
But all of that is just window-dressing. It is the strip of grass in the middle which matters the most.
And underneath that lush crop of green stuff is a hardening surface which Davies hopes will offer both the bowlers and the batsmen an opportunity to shine.
''Our readings really tell us our densities are increasing and our moisture is dropping slowly each day. It is doing what it is told. I can't ask for anything more than that.''
Will there be pace and bounce, though?
''Look, that is part of a great cricket wicket, isn't it? So let's hope so.''
Davies said just talking about the opening morning gave him chills and he imagined he would be pretty nervous before the opening ball of the test.
''I'll be around the corner by the bank there, with the [ground staff], and a lump will be in the throat. It is something I'll never forget.''
