Engine Of War takes step in Derby tilt

The Howden Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington on Sunday has been chosen for the gelding on his path towards the Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 1. 

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old will be having just his second start for the stable and his third career start overall when he steps out on Sunday. 

After running third at Waverley in New Zealand over 1100m on debut, Engine Of War was spotted by MyRacehorse and the Price and Kent Jnr team, who teamed forces to buy the then two-year-old. 

Engine Of War made an imposing start to his career in Australia with a narrow win in a 1500m maiden at Sandown on September 2, which prompted those with early markets on the Howden Victoria Derby to post him as favourite. 

Price said Engine Of War would relish the 1800m journey on Saturday, but added the team needs to be careful in plotting a path to the Derby. 

He said Engine Of War was not as imposing a three-year-old as Tarzino who won the Derby in 2015. 

"He'll go to the the Derby Trial, and I think he's a big track horse," Price said. 

"After that, being second-up he'll then follow through on a Derby path." 

Price said options for Engine Of War following Saturday's outing were the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on October 18 or the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley the following. 

The Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on October 22 is also an option for staying three-year-olds in Victoria. 

"I'd say he'd go to the Caulfield Classic," Price said. 

"I know they use the Moonee Valley Vase as the back-up race, and it is a good formline, but he doesn't appeal to me in that race. 

"I did it with Tarzino but he was a tough horse, and this horse doesn't give me that same impression at this stage."