Eckstein on target for Tatts Tiara

Trainer Kurt Goldman was in a forgiving mood after quirky mare Eckstein won the Group Three Glenlogan Park Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm.

Eckstein ($12) maintained her unblemished record at the track when she held off a determined challenge from Egyptian Symbol ($8.50) to win by a long neck on Saturday, with Sold For Song in third.

The mare was in an agitated mood in the parade ring but Goldman said it was part of her nature.

“That’s her make-up and we’ve learned to manage that and although it takes a lot of work it’s pleasing to get the rewards,” Goldman said.

Eckstein’s ability to handle the Eagle Farm circuit was uppermost in Goldman’s mind when planning her winter carnival campaign.

“I know it’s a different track to what it was during the summer but she ticked that boxing winning on a soft surface and I was confident coming into today,” he said.

Goldman plans to start Eckstein in the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 10 before her ultimate goal, the Group One Tattersalls Tiara (1400m) at the same track on June 24.

Winning jockey Corey Brown kept a careful watch on Eckstein throughout in case the mare began to race waywardly under pressure.

“She’s too smart for her own good and when I hit the front I didn’t want to get into her too much because I was worried she was going to tuck up underneath me,” he said.