Trainer Kurt Goldman is confident that talented filly Eckstein is not without a chance of beating clear race favourite Winning Rupert, when she lines up for the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) on the Gold Coast this weekend.
Eckstein is primed for Saturday’s Magic Millions meet on the Gold Coast. Photo: Steve Hart
Eckstein has been a standout performer for the Goulburn-based horseman in all of her seven career stars, but has not run into the likes of Winning Rupert and fellow Magic Millions-bound mare Global Glamour throughout her four wins and one minor placing.
Aiming for her fifth consecutive win in the 3yo Guineas, Goldman conceded that the daughter of I Am Invincible faces her biggest career task to date in the feature race, but believes her win in the Nerang RSL Handicap (1200m) on Saturday has topped her off well.
“She has had plenty of work and I expected her to race a little more dour on Saturday,” Goldman told AAP.
“She can be her own worst enemy and it was good for Brenton (Avdulla) to have a ride on her,” Goldman said.
“But all along our grand final has been the Guineas. One thing is she knows how to win and that is a major plus.”
Eckstein debuted to racing for eighth in the Gsssa Winners Maiden Plate (1000m) at Warwick Farm in late 2015, and resumed last year for second in the Pluck @ Vinery Handicap (1100m).
Trialling particularly well in the lead-up to her spring return, Eckstein ran fourth amongst classy company in the Chifley Financial Services Maiden (1100m) before posting her first career win in the TAB Highway Handicap (1200m) on October 15th.
Repeating the dose in the West Tradies CFMEU BM70 (1200m) a fortnight later, the filly out of Comrie posted undoubtedly her career-best result to date with a win in the Listed Mode Plate (1200m) on December 10th, in what was her only other start prior to the Nerang RSL Handicap.
Winning Rupert will be seeking a sixth career win from as many starts and currently ties up the top line of Magic Millions 3yo Guineas betting with Ladbrokes Australia at a $1.50, while Eckstein can be taken at generous $17 odds.
