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Trainer-breeder Graeme McCulloch celebrated the first winner by his promising stallion Stratosphere when Encounter Sphere scored an emphatic win on debut in the Hype TV Maiden Plate over 1000 metres in Hobart on Sunday.

Encounter Sphere made his debut on the back of an encouraging trial in Devonport last week, but despite his inexperience he delivered more like a seasoned professional, as did his stablemate Popilita, that also is by Stratosphere.

Apprentice Chelsea Baker had Encounter Sphere ($8) settled third while Popilita ($20 into $12) showed blistering speed from the gates to lead comfortably.

Popilita sped three lengths clear at the top of the straight and looked set to record her first win, but Encounter Sphere had other ideas and hauled his stablemate in 100 metres out and went on to defeat her by a length with the favourite Hilarity ($2.10) hanging on for third over a length astern.

"I was a bit concerned that he might suffer from being inexperienced, but he is such a sensible horse that it made up for his lack of racing," McCulloch said.

"He only had the one trial before this race and he was only recently named, so given it has been a bit of a rush, he has done a marvellous job.

"He trialed really well but I forgot to nominate him for this race, and it was only that they extended the nominations that he gained a start."

Baker said the gelding raced greenly early but eventually settled.

"He did a couple of things wrong but nothing drastic and given the way he hit the line I would say he will definitely want more ground," Baker said.

Encounter Sphere is from McCulloch's good producing mare Flying Dami that is a daughter of Flying Diva that produced top performers in Kenjorwood and Queen La Diva, while Popilita is from Pin of Hope that won four from 34 but hadn't produced anything of note from four previous foals.