Racing: Sydney sprinter heads for NZ

SYDNEY - Wasted Emotions signed off on his Australian career in style with victory at Randwick on Saturday ahead of a tilt at New Zealand's rich group one summer sprints.

Trainer Danny Williams will relinquish control of the 7-year-old to Tony Pike who will prepare Wasted Emotions for the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie on New Year's Day and the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham on January 23.

Williams said it was unlikely the gelding would race again in Sydney and admitted it was an emotional farewell.

"He's been a great horse and I think this might be his best chance for a group one," he said.

"He could well be retired after he races in New Zealand."

Williams and rider Kody Nestor will have something special to remember him by with race sponsors the Macau Jockey Club providing impressive trophies for the 1150m race. With Nestor's 3kg claim, Wasted Emotions ($5) carried 56kg and got the better of Prince Braeman ($5) by 1 lengths with Court ($4.60 fav) a short neck third after looking a winning hope in the straight.

The victory was Wasted Emotions' 11th from 26 starts in a career that has had injury interruptions, including a long break after a paddock accident in April 2006.

The gelding fractured a tibia when he flipped over in his paddock and his dislike for wet tracks has also hampered him at times.

The win was a boost for Nestor who has joined the Guy Walter stable for three months as his apprenticeship nears an end.

Western NSW has been Nestor's learning ground but at 19 and unable to ride under 55kg he decided it was now or never for the city.

"A lot of people were surprised I didn't go north where it's warmer and easier to keep my weight under control," Nestor said.

"But I decided why play reserve grade when I can play first grade.

"I'm very happy with the move. I don't know how long I will be able to keep riding as I've still got some growing to do. And I'm very happy to win this race, we don't see trophies like this in the country."

The meeting was run on the Kensington track, with Bart Cummings collecting a double with emerging stayer Star Ripper in the Sharp Handicap (2400m) and sprinter Latin News in the McGrath Estate Agents (1150m).

Cummings has added weather forecasting to his list of achievements and headed home after watching Star Ripper, saying a storm was imminent.

Just as Latin News ($3) held off Red Ensign ($21) by a half-head, rain started to fall but not as much as the winning trainer feared.

- AAP