Melbourne Cup contender C’est La Guerre will head to New Zealand to prepare for the $NZ 1 million Auckland Cup.

With the help of local trainers Graeme and Deb Rogerson, the five year old is hoping to redeem himself after a disappointing spring campaign which saw him finish eight in this year’s Melbourne Cup.

Purchased by Lloyd Williams after his 2008 NZ Derby win, C’est La Guerre finished an outstanding third in the 2008 Melbourne Cup however since then his greatest race has been a fourth in the Group Two Makybe Diva Stakes in his first race of the 2009 campaign.

Nominations for the illustrious race have peaked at 168 which includes 2009 winner Spin Around, Mr Tipsy, NZ Cup winner My Scotsgrey, Queensland Derby winner Court Ruler and Sterling Prince.

Newcastle stayer Newport was expected to fly to New Zealand to compete in the Auckland Cup however his trainer Paul Berry is eager to send the gelding over to Western Australia for the Perth Cup on New Year’s Day.