Classy mare Sacred Choice will be set for the Group One Myer Classic after an exciting win in the Group Two Emancipation Stakes (1600m) at Randwick today.

The Joseph Pride prepared Choisir mare, a $40,000 bargain buy from the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, made it a back to back group race double for Michael Rodd when she saluted.

Pride went into the feature event for mares with a good deal of confidence knowing his charge was one of the most consistent in the state.

“I knew she would run well,” Pride said after the race. “The addition of blinkers really helped her finish the race off.”

“Just ridden that touch quieter and she’s got that flashy finish,” he added.

“If she gets a genuine tempo and gets to race off the speed that is where she is at her most potent.”

“The owner is a breeder and it’s great to see her win a Group Two – we’ve got the spring to look forward to.”

Pride said Sacred Choice had earned a spell prior to a spring campaign.

“She’ll go to the paddock now and now she’s won that perhaps a race like the Myer Classic at Flemington on Derby Day is the go.”

Sacred Choice, already a stakes winner of the Aspiration Handicap two runs back, got up to win in a thrilling four way finish.

At the post the $11 chance held a half head margin over the runner-up Gold Water ($2.50 fav), while Strawberry Field ($8.50) was another short half head back in third place.

Strawberry Field, a stakes winning daughter of Encosta de Lago, will go under the hammer at the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Sacred Choice, by leading Coolmore Stud based sire Choisir, is one of four winners produced by the lightly raced mare Sacred Habit.

A daughter of Sir Tristram, Sacred Habit is a three quarter sister to the Golden Slipper winner and outstanding sire Marauding.

It is also the family of Thursday’s Gosford Guineas winner Latin News – a fellow Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate.

A $40,000 bargain buy, Sacred Choice has earned her connections an ever increasing prizemoney haul of over $300,000 – her current value is anyone’s guess.