The winning margin wasn’t convincing, yet it was enough to earn former New Zealander Engine Of War early Victoria Derby favouritism after a successful Australian debut at Sandown.

Engine Of War scraped home against Maiden rivals over 1500m at his first start for co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, but looked every bit a stayer-in-waiting despite scrambling home over the fast-finishing There Were Roses.

A son of Circus Maximus, Engine Of War finished in the minor placing at his only New Zealand start, catching the attention of Australian bloodstock agents.

The gelding now races in the ownership of micro-share syndicator MyRacehorse as well as several Price-Kent Jr clients.

“We were chasing him at the same time through our avenues, and it ended up that MyRacehorse bought him and we joined together after that,” Kent Jr said.

“He's a very big, raw product. I hope he stays, he looks like he should, so fingers crossed.”

A graduate of last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, Engine Of War was originally purchased by trainer Andrew Forsman for $NZ50,000 from the draft of Ohukia Lodge.

Bookmakers promoted Engine Of War to a general quote of $6 favouritism for the Victoria Derby at Flemington on November 1.

From The Newsdesk