Second in the Group I VRC Myer Classic last year to Shoals, quality I Am Invincible mare Eckstein indicated she was back on track for a second tilt at the race when scoring a stylish victory at Flemington on Saturday in the Listed VRC Paris Lane Stakes.
Cherry ripe at her third run back from a spell, the Kurt Goldman trained mare relished the wide open spaces and 1400 metres to charge home and win by two lengths with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
“She got into a nice rhythm and was full of running when I asked her,” McEvoy said.
“She can have her quirks, but she’s getting smarter as she gets older.”
The Group I VRC Emirates Classic is now the goal for Eckstein, who was beaten a short half head in the race last year.
“She hasn’t won in over a year, so I thought this race would give her a bit of confidence,” said Kurt Goldman.
“We’ll go home now and come back for the Myer Classic.”
Eckstein was a $165,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Vinery Stud draft for Australian Bloodstock and has won six of 125 starts earning in excess of $942,0000 in prizemoney.
She was a successful pinhook having been bought first as a weanling by KP Thoroughbreds from the Inglis Weanling Sale from the Redbank North draft.
She is the best of three winners from unraced Choisir mare Comrie, a grand-daughter of multiple Group I winner Canny Lass from the family of Group I stars such as Sepoy, Canny Lad, Camarena and Guelph.
Eckstein is the tenth stakes-winner so far this season for Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible, who is setting the pace on the Australian General Sires List.
