VRC Derby aspirant Engine Of War made a winning start to his Australian career when he narrowly prevailed at Sandown on Wednesday.
The son of Circus Maximus—trained by Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)—had arrived in Australia off the back of three runs in New Zealand, where he’d shown staying promise across the winter.
Sent out as a $5 chance with horse racing bookmakers on debut in Australia, the big-framed three-year-old parked in the box seat for Mark Zahra behind a controlled tempo before edging clear late to repel fellow Kiwi import There Were Roses.
“He’s still so raw,” Kent Jnr said post-race.
“He’s a proper 16.2½-hand horse and he wants ground, but he’s just got a great attitude. He’d had one gallop on the grass before today—he’s that new here—and he still found a way.”
The stable has the VRC Derby in mind if the colt continues on the right path.
“We’ll give him his chance to stretch out,” Kent Jnr added. “He’s got the action and the temperament. Today was about getting him going and seeing where he fits, and he’s handled himself very professionally.”
Owned by the MyRacehorse micro-ownership syndicate, Engine Of War was sourced in conjunction with bloodstock agent Andrew Williams after the Price/Kent team had also marked the colt.
“We were able to team up with MyRacehorse, which is great,” Kent Jnr said.
“They’re so good for the game—getting more people involved at a really accessible level.”
After purchase, the colt enjoyed a five-week spell before a full preparation into Wednesday’s assignment.
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