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Talented mare Gai's Choice is headed north to the Queensland winter carnival after a dominant victory in the SCCF Ken Callander Handicap at Rosehill on Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Trained by David Pfieffer at Warwick Farm, Gai's Choice has shown ability on occasions in the past but since returning to racing this time in she has gone to a new level.
First up was an impressive come from behind, get there on the line win but this time around she gave nothing else a chance with the assistance of a great ride from Peter Robl.
After sitting near last in the run, Robl gradually edged closer to the leaders, putting Gai's Choice within striking distance.
Rounding the turn she was close enough, but just needed room to see if she was good enough; she was.
After finding some room Robl asked for her best effort and she quickly put the race beyond doubt, kicking clear to score impressively.
The margin was 6L and screamed 'take me to Queensland.' Second was Titbit with Dailika a length away in third place. The overall time was 1.17.68 with the last 600m run in 35.44.
“She is flying,” Pfieffer said.
“Her first up run was very good, got back on a fast tempo and flew home well and this was the race we aimed for at the start of the prep, the 1300m suited and she delivered.
“It was very impressive. I obviously have a good opinion of the mare and I have luck with her before but that was pretty special what she showed today.
“We are off to Queensland for the Gai Waterhouse Classic.”
It was the second time Peter Robl had partnered the mare under race conditions with the senior hoop partnering the mare when she broke maiden status back in Septemeber 2010.
“She sprinted really quick,” Robl said. “She travelled nice in the run and when I found a gap and gave her a squeeze she let down really good.”
Gai's Choice is by General Nediym out of Faster Pussycat and is owned by Vieira Racing (Mgr: B Vieira), Mrs S G Vieira, T Vieira, Mrs C Vieira-Choy & J Choy.
One race later, her namesake, Gai Waterhouse was in the winners circle with Rain Drum who won the $70,000 Wilson Asset Management (Bm85) Handicap (2000m).
The win was an important one for Tommy Berry who was unsuccesful aboard Rain Drum in the Wagga Cup the run prior with the pair unable to live up to their favouritism, finishing third.
“I had to win this today because I probably cost him in the Wagga Cup, you could say I went a bit early,” Berry said.
Leading from the front, Rain Drum made every post a winner, fighting off all challengers to lead throughout.
The margin was a length and a quarter to Kim Warrior with a further length and three quarters to Shamadarni in third. The overall time was 2.04.09 with the last 600m run in 36.23.
“I am very thankful to the owners and Gai for putting me back on him,” Berry said.
“I have always had a big opinion of this horse and whoever took me on today probably finished back in the pack.
“He definitely has a future and it is great to see the owners get a nice horse again.”
Rain Drum is by Fastnet Rock out of Gifted Spirit and is owned by J & Mrs A McDonnell, Team McDonnell Syn (J McDonnell), J Hazzisevastos, Greenwich Stud Syn (G Perry), S Mekertichian, M Butler, D McGregor & A Knight.