Expensive colt Wilderness has given David Hayes and Tom Dabernig a winning start to their training partnership in the first Victorian race of the season.

Hall of Fame trainer Hayes has entered into a partnership with his nephew Dabernig and Wilderness was the team's first runner at Geelong on Friday, the opening day of the 2014/15 season.

A $2.4 million yearling purchase, three-year-old Wilderness is a half-brother to dual hemisphere Group One-winning sprinter Starspangledbanner and stepped out for his first-up assignment as a $1.30 favourite in Friday's 1100-metre maiden.

The colt, whose owners include Coolmore Stud, sat just off the leader in the small field and went on to score by 1-1/4 lengths in his third start.

"It's a nice way to kick off the partnership," Dabernig told TVN.

Dabernig said Wilderness was still green but would continue to improve.

"He's a horse that we've always had a good opinion of. Obviously we have got spring on the doorstep, so we will be heading that way," he said.