Engine Of War has emerged as a Derby contender for the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr stable following a hard-fought victory on debut for the yard at Sandown.

The New Zealand-bred gelding, purchased by My Racehorse in conjunction with stable clients, opened his account in Wednesday’s Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate (1500m). Ridden by Mark Zahra, the $4.80 chance scored by a nose from outsider There Were Roses ($26), with King Maywin ($5) a length away in third.

Kent Jnr conceded post-race that the margin was tighter than he would have liked, but he was encouraged by the raw three-year-old’s staying profile.

“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.”

Engine Of War first came to the stable’s attention after a placing in New Zealand earlier this year, and he is now on a program aimed at the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) in November.

“He’s got to do everything right, but like most horses in this race, they’re all possibly touted as Derby types, so we’ll be aiming that way,” Kent Jnr said.

Zahra, who partnered the gelding in a Cranbourne jump-out prior to his debut, was struck by his huge stride.

“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 as the distances increase, he’ll be able to travel for longer.”

Punters can track Engine Of War’s path towards the Victoria Derby by comparing markets at leading Australian betting sites.