Top mare too good

The cream rose to the top in the Listed Winter S. at Rosehill where the dual Group 3 winner and G1 Myer Classic runner-up Eckstein (I Am Invincible) proved too good.

Purchased by Coolmore for $750,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale, the 5-year-old had finished sixth at her previous appearance in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara.

“Obviously Kurt Goldman did a fantastic job with her and I was spoiled to be handed the reins,” trainer Chris Waller said.

“It’s a privilege to training her for Mr Magnier and the Coolmore team, who I was fortunate enough to spend a bit of time with a couple of weeks ago.

“It was a real highlight of the year, going to see Ballydoyle and how Aidan O’Brien operates such a successful empire for the Magniers. What a thrill be given these colours and to train a horse like Eckstein.”

Instant impression

Former Western Australia filly Agent Pippa (Demerit) announced her arrival in Sydney with an all the way victory at Rosehill.

In her first appearance for trainer Kris Lees, she was taken straight to the front and was never headed in the ATC Foundation H.

“She was very impressive. We were always going to ride her positively,” Lees said. “She’s already a stakes winner in WA so hopefully she can get to that level here.”

Tactics spot on

A plan to use new tactics with Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) proved successful at Doomben on Saturday.

There were only six runners in the race and with no front-runner among them trainer Chris Waller's Queensland manager Paul Shailer instructed jockey Ryan Maloney to lead on the mare.

It worked a treat with Another Dollar accounting for stablemate Savacool (NZ) (Savabeel).

"She might not have ever won at Doomben, but she had placed in all five starts here including in the Queensland Oaks when second to a pretty smart horse in Youngstar," Shailer said.

"In other words in a genuinely run race she was always going to be hard to beat. She was the class in the race and it showed through."

Sydney on radar

Trainer Matt Dunn is considering a trip to Sydney for Karaja (Zoffany {Ire}) after a change of fortune at Doomben.

The 2-year-old capitalised on a gun run under jockey Jim Byrne to win the Brent Kielly Memorial H.

"She should have won her past two starts at Ipswich and then the Sunshine Coast. She finally got out to the right distance for her today and she was strong to the line," Dunn said.

"Karaja is bred to get over some ground so who knows she might get out to a middle distance next campaign.

"Certainly a Sydney trip would be in line for her at some stage, but whether it is this time we will have to decide a bit later."

Deserved spell

Snitch (Lope de Vega {Ire}) signed off in the best possible way at Doomben with the seventh win of his career.

The Tony Gollan-trained chestnut will go for a break after adding the A Night In France H. to his record.

"There are plenty of races for him in the summer. Races like the Sunshine Coast Cup or Buffering Handicap," he said.

"I honestly think he is up to Listed class at least. He is by Lope de Vega and I have couple of good ones by that sire including Vega One.

"They are quirky horses, but I think we have worked them out and we are having some luck with the breed.

Veracious lands Group 1

Sir Michael Stoute’s Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) claimed the G1 Tattersalls Falmouth S. at Newmarket on Friday in determined fashion.

Having to battle late as One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock) arrived on the scene, the 6-1 shot proved equal to the task and hit the line with a neck to spare, with the heavily-backed I Can Fly (GB) (Fastnet Rock) 2 3/4 lengths away in third.

“It was a very brave performance and Oisin [Murphy] rode her beautifully,” Stoute said. “She ran very well at Ascot, but was doing a little too much and we didn’t want that to happen today. We wanted to let her flow.

“She has taken a long time to ripen, but Ryan [Moore] rode her in work 10 days ago and said ‘she is there now’. We have a lot of choices and she has got form at a mile and a quarter from the Nassau last year. Cheveley Park has been wonderful supporters and I’m always thrilled to win a good race for them.”

Veracious is out of Infallible (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who captured the G3 Nell Gwyn S. and was runner-up in this race and the G1 Coronation S.

Annie’s Song in tune

Annie’s Song (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) made the perfect start to her career on her home track at Ruakaka with a decisive victory.

Trainers Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley expected a bold showing from the filly in the Whangarei ITM 2YO and they weren’t disappointed. When presented by rider Craig Grylls, she dashed clear to beat Tumbleweed (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}).

“She’s going to make a lovely 3-year-old,” Bradley said. “I’m not sure what we’ll do now, we don’t push our 2-year-olds and she’s still growing.”

Annie’s Song is out of the winning High Chaparral (Ire) mare Highlight (NZ) from the family of the former champion South African 2 and 3-year-old Princess Victoria (SAF) (Victory Moon {SAF}).