In form mare Gai’s Choice looks set to be tested as racing’s elite level after a stunning win in Saturday’s listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) at Ipswich.
Despite coming from well back in the field and covering extra ground the quality performer proved much too good scoring a valuable black type victory.
The win is the third from three runs this preparation and was enough to convince her connections to back up in this week’s Group One Winter Stakes.
Prepared at Warwick Farm by David Pfieffer, Gai’s Choice had no favours in Saturday’s feature from the visitor’s draw, but in the end the performance was sensational.
Winning rider Jay Ford said the acceleration shown by the mare when called upon was astonishing.
“The speed seemed okay but they did slow up in the middle stages so I was out and going at the 600 (metre mark).”
“She gathered them up very quickly and was strong to the line.”
“She’s going really well,” Ford added.
David Pfieffer was confident of success leading into the Gai Waterhouse Classic but those feelings were dented when his mare drew the second to outside barrier in the big field.
“We had to chance our arm,” he said.
“Coming here, we had a wide gate and we had it all against us.”
“She has done it at both ends and we might have to consider the Winter Stakes.”
“That’s three in a row now and we all know when mares are in form, keep putting them in races.”
“It we had have drawn a gate, I would nearly have declared her because it is the best she has looked this prep and she just keeps improving for us,” Pfieffer added.
Gai’s Choice is turning out a great money spinner for her connections after being purchased by senior part owner Bert Vieira for $81,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
She was offered at the Gold Coast based sale by her breeder, Widden Stud. Her earnings now sit at $388,950.
The 41st individual stakes winner for star Magic Millions graduate General Nediym, Gai’s Choice is one of two winners for the 100 per cent winner producer Faster Pussycat.
A daughter of Danehill’s Golden Slipper winning son Flying Spur, Faster Pussycat was a winner at two and earned black type with a runner-up effort in the listed Illawarra 2YO Classic.
Faster Pussycat in turn is from the stakes winner Prego mare Presina – the dam of Sydney winner Desina, dam of Group One Oakleigh Plate winner and Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate Eagle Falls – a winner of over $1 million.
Winner: Gai’s Choice
Breeding: General Nediym-Faster Pussycat (Flying Spur)
Sold for: $81,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Widden Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Bert Vieira
Earnings: $388,950
Owner(s): Vieira Racing (Mgr: B Vieira), Mrs SG Vieira, T Vieira, Mrs C Vieira-Choy & J Choy
Trainer: David Pfieffer (Warwick Farm)
PICS – Dan Costello.
