Jockey Heather Poland has made a rare ride at Randwick count by winning the Highway Handicap on Eckstein.
Eckstein finished fourth at Rosehill on September 28 when she jumped with her head on the side and sat three-wide during the race.
The three-year-old filly jumped well at Randwick on Saturday, with Poland guiding her to an all-the-way victory over 1200m.
“Her behaviour was really good today so we actually got to see a little bit of her ability,” Poland said.
“I got where I wanted to be and I was able to kick a little bit on the turn.”
Poland’s partner and Eckstein’s trainer Kurt Goldman is targeting the rich Magic Millions raceday on the Gold Coast in January.
“That’s her grand final,” Goldman said.
Poland now has three wins from seven rides this season, all for Goldman.
Eckstein was runner-up to Godolphin colt Impending on debut last season.
Impending went on to win the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes and finished fourth in the Group One Caulfield Guineas.
Goldman said Eckstein still had a lot to learn.
“She got herself very worked up there,” Goldman said.
“She’s not there but she’s got plenty of ability so hopefully it’s not far away.”
