The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr stable has high hopes for Engine Of War following his breakthrough win at Sandown.
Engine Of War is being geared towards the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington in November following his first-up win in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate (1500m) on Wednesday.
The New Zealand-bred three-year-old was having his first start for the Price and Kent Jnr stable having been purchased by My Racehorse and stable clients.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, Engine Of War ($4.80) held on to score by a nose from the fast finishing There Were Roses ($26) with King Maywin ($5) a length away third.
Kent Jnr admitted post-race that he would not want that race over again as Engine Of War held on for the narrow win, but said the win was good from a very big, raw product.
Sandown Hillside Race 1 | Engine Of War
We’re underway at Sandown Hillside! The 3YO gelding shines on debut with a stirring late charge for Mark Zahra & @MickPriceRacing 💪
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/sLcjEirs3h— Racing.com (@Racing) September 3, 2025
“He looked to get to the front fairly easily and then he didn’t know how to put the race away,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s all legs and hopefully he will stay. He looks like he should, so fingers crossed.”
Kent Jnr said Engine Of War came on to their radar after the three-year-old had finished third in a maiden race in New Zealand back in April.
“I think Andy Williams through My Racehorse purchased him, but we were chasing him at the same time through our avenues,” Kent Jnr said.
“They bought him, and we joined together after that.
“He was purchased, given a five-week spell and we’ve got him to this point.
“He’s got to do everything right, but like most horses in this field, they were all possibly touted as a Derby type, so we’ll be aiming that way as well.”
Zahra said he had ridden Engine Of War in a jump-out at Cranbourne and was impressed with the length of stride on the gelding.
“He’s got a big stride on him, and I was looking for the right room at the right time and I was able to get it,” Zahra said.
“He’s a horse that is going to want ground, but I think as the distances increase and the tempo gets slower, he will be able to travel for longer.”
