C'est La Guerre!
July 1st 2008 06:21
Moving further down the betting chart for The 2008 Melbourne Cup we come to C’est La Guerre, a New Zealand bred bay gelding by Shinko King out of La Magnifique (by Kampala). He was purchased by Ken Myers for NZ$16,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Limited 2006 Festival Sale.
(photo: AAP)
Recently he was purchased for an undisclosed amount by Lloyd Williams. C’est La Guerre has already won $NZ466,700 in prizemoney with five wins from his nine starts in New Zealand.
His emphatic victory in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m at Ellerslie) brought him to the attention of the broader racing world (beyond New Zealand). On a slow track, C’est La Guerre started from the outside barrier of 18 and won effortlessly by four lengths.
In the New Zealand Derby he defeated Nom Du Jeu 4th, beaten 7.5 lengths; and Red Ruler 8th and beaten 16 lengths. Both horses would cross the Tasman and compete in the AJC Australian Derby where Nom Du Jeu would defeat Red Ruler. Behind them were some of the best 3yo stayers in Australia, including VRC Derby runner-up Littorio, finishing this time in third place.
Following this race Nom Du Jeu would run in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) against all ages and finish second to the surprise of last Autumn, Sarrera, and beating home a quality line-up with Tuesday Joy 3rd, Desert War 4th and Serious Speed 5th.
The trainer of Nom Du Jeu, Murray Baker, was looking to avoid competing against C’est La Guerre and was adamant that had the NZ Derby winner been in the AJC Derby all would have been left in his wake.
Lloyd Williams is perhaps looking beyond 2008 with the purchase of this quality staying gelding. He will have Efficient representing him again, and he should be at the peak of his potential and powers as a seasoned 5 year old. If not in 2008, then it will be the following year when Williams will look to this new purchase to peak. Nonetheless, the bookmakers are taking no chances and he is highly fancied and highly rated. Given the way that the lesser New Zealand 3 year olds proved superior to our own Autumn contingent, he must be highly regarded by all.
C’est la guerre is a French phrase or saying best said with a shrug of the shoulders. It is an ironic phrase used as an excuse for anything that has not gone to plan. It was originally a catchphrase from WW1 used as a fatalistic excuse for anything (man or machine) that did not perform up to expectation in the theatre of war. It is commonly used now to indicate an acceptance of matters beyond one’s control. Similar to the shrug and sentiment of C’est la vie (that’s life), it translates as ‘It’s the war.’
2008 New Zealand Derby:
Nom Du Jeu winning AJC Derby
(photo: AAP)
Recently he was purchased for an undisclosed amount by Lloyd Williams. C’est La Guerre has already won $NZ466,700 in prizemoney with five wins from his nine starts in New Zealand.
His emphatic victory in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m at Ellerslie) brought him to the attention of the broader racing world (beyond New Zealand). On a slow track, C’est La Guerre started from the outside barrier of 18 and won effortlessly by four lengths.
In the New Zealand Derby he defeated Nom Du Jeu 4th, beaten 7.5 lengths; and Red Ruler 8th and beaten 16 lengths. Both horses would cross the Tasman and compete in the AJC Australian Derby where Nom Du Jeu would defeat Red Ruler. Behind them were some of the best 3yo stayers in Australia, including VRC Derby runner-up Littorio, finishing this time in third place.
Following this race Nom Du Jeu would run in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) against all ages and finish second to the surprise of last Autumn, Sarrera, and beating home a quality line-up with Tuesday Joy 3rd, Desert War 4th and Serious Speed 5th.
The trainer of Nom Du Jeu, Murray Baker, was looking to avoid competing against C’est La Guerre and was adamant that had the NZ Derby winner been in the AJC Derby all would have been left in his wake.
Lloyd Williams is perhaps looking beyond 2008 with the purchase of this quality staying gelding. He will have Efficient representing him again, and he should be at the peak of his potential and powers as a seasoned 5 year old. If not in 2008, then it will be the following year when Williams will look to this new purchase to peak. Nonetheless, the bookmakers are taking no chances and he is highly fancied and highly rated. Given the way that the lesser New Zealand 3 year olds proved superior to our own Autumn contingent, he must be highly regarded by all.
C’est la guerre is a French phrase or saying best said with a shrug of the shoulders. It is an ironic phrase used as an excuse for anything that has not gone to plan. It was originally a catchphrase from WW1 used as a fatalistic excuse for anything (man or machine) that did not perform up to expectation in the theatre of war. It is commonly used now to indicate an acceptance of matters beyond one’s control. Similar to the shrug and sentiment of C’est la vie (that’s life), it translates as ‘It’s the war.’
2008 New Zealand Derby:
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