Racing: C'est La Guerre returns to NZ

C'est La Guerre romps away to win the 2008 Mercedes Derby. Photo/ Richard Robinson

C'est La Guerre is returning to New Zealand to be prepared for the $1.25 million 2010 Auckland Cup.

It will be a return to the scene of his greatest triumph, Ellerslie racecourse.

C'est La Guerre won the 2008 Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie, after which he was bought by one of Australia's biggest owners, Melbourne businessman Lloyd Williams, as a potential winner of the Melbourne Cup, a race Williams has solely focused on.

He finished a wonderful third to Viewed in the Melbourne Cup a year ago when he was considered too young for the race.

After being set specifically for this month's Cup, his lead-up was much-troubled.

C'est La Guerre finished eighth on footing that was probably too firm for him.

He will be prepared for the Cup in New Zealand by the new training partnership of Debbie and Graeme Rogerson which has had great success lately with 2000 and 1000 Guineas winner Katie Lee.

Graeme Rogerson trained for Lloyd Williams until soon after the pair won the 2007 Melbourne Cup with the New Zealand-bred Efficient.

More recently, C'est La Guerre has been prepared by John Sadler, who recently severed links with Lloyd Williams.

Australian bookmakers have already started betting on major events for next spring including the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and Cox Plate.

By state law bookies have to refund all bets on horses not nominated for those races in early August.

Doublebet is offering a minimum of $550 for any two horses to win the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double.

Meanwhile, in another highlight for racing fans, stakes-winning sprinter Wasted Emotions could make his Australian swansong at Randwick on Saturday with connections setting their sights on group one riches across the Tasman.

The winner of the 2008 listed Hall Mark Stakes is one of several Australian gallopers nominated for the Railway Stakes (1200m) at Auckland on New Year's Day and the Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on January 23.

Trainer Danny Williams confirmed the gelding's owners were planning an assault on New Zealand's richest sprint races as Wasted Emotions became more difficult to place in his homeland.

"Our sprinting horses are probably slightly superior to theirs at present and he'll be down in the weights," Williams said. "I'll hand him over to [Cambridge trainer] Tony Pike. He does a great job. It would be difficult being here and having the horse in New Zealand.

"He'll go to New Zealand after this next race and possibly run on January 1 at Auckland and then have one more start there if everything goes well.

"We'll assess his future from there as to whether we want to go on with him. He's getting up in the weights and harder to place."

Wasted Emotions is one of 15 entries for the 1150m open handicap at Randwick's Kensington track on Saturday, along with multiple group winner Court and the smart Double Dare.

He will also be nominated for a sprint race on Sunday's Canberra Cup programme but Williams is leaning towards running him at Randwick.

The 7-year-old was an unlucky third to News Alert first-up in the Lightning Handicap at Randwick before finishing eighth to Eagle Falls in the group two Salinger Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day, when he jarred up on the hard track.

"He over-raced and brought himself undone," Williams said.

"It was his first time down the straight. I think he thought it was a 600m race not 1200m."

The 1000m handicap for 2-year-olds has attracted a healthy 15 entries including the John O'Shea-trained filly Solar Charged.

A daughter of 2005 group one Galaxy winner Charge Forward, who was also trained by O'Shea, Solar Charged won her only barrier trial by almost five lengths.

O'Shea is also preparing Sydney star Racing To Win for the Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at the rich international meeting at Sha Tin on December 13.

- Additional reporting AAP