David Pfieffer will step Gai’s Choice up to Group 1 level after the mare produced an outstanding effort to take out the Listed $100,000 Sky Racing World Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) at Ipswich today.

Gai's Choice will step up to Group 1 racing after winning the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic - photo © Daniel Costello

Next week’s Group 1 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm is now on the agenda after Gai’s Choice overcame the outside barrier in the sixteen horse field, coming from second last at the 700m to circle the field and charge to the front half way down the straight to score a phenomenal win.

Gai’s Choice was able to overhaul topweight Mascareri  in the run to the line with Miss Barwang sneaking up on the fence to fill third spot.

Winning rider Jay Ford said that the plan was always to go back and let Gai’s Choice have one run at the leaders and she proved that she was definitely the best mare in the race.

“From the wide alley we decided to go back and leave it for one crack at them. The speed seemed okay but they did slow up in the middle stages so I got out and going at the six hundred. She rounded them up very quickly and was strong in the run to the line,” Ford said.

“I think that she is a mare in form and while they are in form anything can happen,” he said.

Ford indicated that he would definitely stick with Gai’s Choice if Pfieffer decided to continue her winter campaign on to next week in the Fillies and Mares Group 1, formerly known as the Winter Stakes.

“We had to chance our arm coming here with the wide gate. It was a beautiful ride from Jay. She’s done it at both ends today and now we might have to consider looking at the Winter Stakes,” Pfieffer said.