by Mike Curry

C’est La Guerre closed with a rush from off the pace and surged clear to a four-length victory in the $559,510 Mercedes Derby (NZ-G1) on Saturday at Ellerslie.

The bay Shinko King gelding accelerated into contention with a sweeping move entering the stretch under jockey David Walker and uncoiled an explosive turn of foot to burst clear in the final furlong of the 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) race for three-year-olds.

“He’s got an ultra-impressive turn of foot, and today he relaxed beautifully,” Walker told www.nzracingnews.com.

C’est La Guerre completed the distance in 2:33.47 on turf rated as slow for trainer Kevin Myers, who conditions C’est La Guerre for a group in which he is a partner. The win was Myers's first victory in the Mercedes Derby.

Prince Kaapstad, winner of the First Sovereign Trust Great Northern Guineas (NZ-G2) on December 26, stalked pacesetter Mission Critical and rallied from the inside in the stretch. Prince Kaapstad held off third-place finisher Fritzy Boy by a head. Favorite Nom du Jeu was another 3 1/2 lengths back in fourth in the 18-horse field.

C’est La Guerre’s season was interrupted by a bout of colic, but he rebounded to earn the biggest victory of his career in the Mercedes Derby. He is out of the Kampala mare La Magnifique.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor