Prominent owner Lloyd Williams has made a long term investment in Kiwi galloper C'est La Guerre.

The Shinko King gelding, formerly prepared by Kevin Myers, was an easy winner of this year's New Zealand Derby which has since proven a strong form pointer with beaten gallopers Nom Du Jeu and Red Ruler providing the quinella in the AJC Derby.

Williams has purchased the three-year-old with the Melbourne Cup in mind but believes he won't be ready this year and will give him time to mature with next year's race the goal.

C'est La Guerre, who has won five of his nine career starts, will arrive this week and have a light spring campaign.

Williams will be focusing his attention on Efficient to give him his third Melbourne Cup, with the grey galloper returning to work for his spring campaign today.