Trainer Kurt Goldman's ambitions for juvenile Hellbent have been given an important endorsement from top jockey Hugh Bowman following the colt's debut win at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The private trainer for prominent owner Alan Cardy, Goldman admitted to some nerves before Hellbent ($2.80) justified his favouritism with a half-length win over Echo Queen ($12) in the McGrath Estate Agents Plate.

Goldman regards Hellbent highly enough to give consideration to a Golden Rose campaign, although the horse's inexperience is more likely to sway connections towards a campaign later in the spring.

"He's by far the best horse I have ever laid hands on but he's still got to go and do it," Goldman said.

"We won't rule anything out at this stage but if he goes to the Golden Rose he will be up against a lot of horses who have had already their (first) preparations."

Bowman echoed Goldman's optimism about Hellbent's future and predicted the horse would graduate to a much higher level than midweek grade.

"I'm sure you're going to see him in better company than this," Bowman said.

"He let down nicely but the ground is genuine heavy and all things considered, it was a very pleasing debut."

Hellbent was Goldman's first two-year-old runner in the metropolitan area.