Ever Luck produced a debut to remember at Sha Tin on Sunday, overcoming barrier 14, a surprise detour entering the home straight and a protest to land a massive betting plunge.

Whacked late in betting to shorten from $9.4 to $2.8, the Mark Newnham-trained Ever Luck jumped well in the Class Four Panasonic TV Handicap (1,200m) and was urged to the lead by James Orman.

Everything seemed to be going to plan through the first half of the race until Ever Luck veered out towards the middle of the track not long before straightening, taking fellow debutant Georgian Sigma with him.

Orman was able to quickly rectify the situation, however Ever Luck found himself back in the pack before picking up again and sailing past Motor to stop the clock in 1:08.84 – more than half a second inside standard.

Georgian Sigma also recovered well and rattled home into second, with the stewards deciding the final margin of one and three-quarter lengths was too much to overturn the result.

“Not once I saw the drone shot, which I’m pleased we have now, because the horses didn’t actually make any contact,” said Newnham when asked if he was concerned about losing the race.

“The second horse actually ran away from my horse – my horse didn’t take the corner well but the other horse was a bit intimidated by it, being both their first starts, and he ran out as well. But he held him safely in the straight.”

Ever Luck showed his obvious potential when comfortably accounting for stablemate Looks Outstanding – who was also brown-lamped before saluting on Wednesday night – in a recent Conghua turf trial.

“I would have been very confident if he’d drawn one to five but when you draw out there you’re in the lap of the gods,” said Newnham, who leads the trainers’ premiership with 18 victories through 14 meetings.

“Funnily enough though, this season we’ve won four races from gate 14, so I’ve got to stop complaining.

“When he crossed so easily I thought he’d win, similar to his trial in Conghua, but when he didn’t take that corner it did have me a little worried.

“But once he straightened up and got his balance, he showed in the last 200m that he’s quite a decent horse and he’s got a good future.”

Newnham was quick to temper expectations, though, pointing to the fact Ever Luck’s brilliant success came in a contest restricted to three-year-olds who came to Hong Kong unraced.

“He’s in his own company, they’re three-year-old PPG horses so they’re all inexperienced and that’s what you get,” he said.

“If he’d have run in a regular Class Four race, he probably doesn’t win. You can’t make those mistakes and beat horses who have had 20, 30 or 40 starts. Whereas here in this grade you can make a couple of mistakes and still be OK.

“He’s quite an immature horse so he’ll have a fairly easy season this year and we’ll just let him progress gradually. I think he’ll keep developing physically and mentally and there’s no doubt he’s got a good future.”

Newnham was pleased to be able to reward Orman for twice travelling to Conghua to trial Ever Luck, with the Australian jockey hopeful this was his first of many wins with the horse.

“He’s just a green horse, but a horse with a lot of ability. How many times do you see them win when they do that?” Orman said.

“I don’t think I’ve ridden one who has run off like that and still won. It’s quite impressive and he’s a nice horse.”

Orman went on to complete his first double of the season by saluting aboard Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained $19 chance Bright Day in the Class Four Panasonic Rice Cooker Handicap (1,400m).

“It was good. I only had four rides, but I did think these two were both good chances and it was good to make the most of it and get a double,” said Orman after moving to four wins for the campaign.

“Hopefully I can keep rolling – everyone knows how tough it is to get rides, especially for a heavyweight who can only ride 123lb. But I love it here and I’m enjoying it.”