There was a moment or two of concern but My Wish ultimately made the perfect start to what could be a big campaign with victory in the Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

After two impressive trials, last season’s Classic Mile winner was sent off the $2.25 favourite and trainer Mark Newnham was pleased to see him do what he thought he would.

“Everyone’s been excited, no one more than myself. He was going that well and we thought he’d make good improvement, so it was a bit like having a Christmas present under the tree and not being able to open it yet. But maybe Christmas came early,” said the trainer.

With My Wish racing in traffic one back on the rail turning for home, jockey Luke Ferraris had to wait until inside the 200m before spearing his mount through a gap and onto victory by a length and a quarter.

“It did look a little complicated there for a few strides but once he got the gap he put them away quite well,” said Newnham.

“He’s a really good, tenacious little horse. More attention has been paid to his size than his ability in the past but I think that may be in the past now.

“He certainly showed today that he’s made improvement from last season and he’s going to be a force for the rest of the season.”

My Wish saluted at Group level for the first time while also handing Ferraris and Newnham their maiden Group successes in Hong Kong.

“It just seemed like nothing was moving and then half a gap opened. He was as gutsy as ever and I put him in it and he did the rest. He got me out of trouble,” said Ferraris.

On the horizon for last season’s Hong Kong Derby runner-up are a pair of Group Two tests before a tilt at December’s Group One Hong Kong Mile.

“He’s finished a length behind Voyage Bubble when beaten by Red Lion [in April’s Group One Champions Mile], but with a freshen up and now that he’s filled out a bit, I don’t know where the ceiling is,” said Ferraris.

“The sky is the limit with him and whatever we throw at him, he takes and does better, so it’s really exciting going forward.”

A rematch with Voyage Bubble looms – likely in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) on October 19 – and Newnham knows his charge will have to find another level or two yet.

“It’s a good way to start the season but we’ve still got the A-graders to come, so he’s got to improve a little bit more. But I think it’s there,” he said.

“He was out of competition for five months and as ready as I could have him, every horse is going to improve when they haven’t had race competition.

“As much as we did ask him in his trials, it still leaves you a little bit vulnerable first up in good company. There were some nice horses in today’s field.

“He’s ticked that box but I think there’s a little bit to come in his coat and a bit of a fitness edge to come. We’ve got an exciting time ahead.”

Newnham and Ferraris have struck up a strong bond in the past couple of seasons and the trainer praised the jockey for his work with My Wish, who he has ridden in all but one start.

“It’s just one of those things. We’ve clicked well. He’s prepared to put the work in on the horses,” said Newnham, who finished the day with a double thanks to the earlier victory of Lucky Sam Gor.

“This horse was difficult to start with so he needed a lot of patience and Luke showed that with him. Luke’s input has been terrific for the stable and we’ve been able to reward him with horses.”