Jockey Craig Williams has seized the chance to familiarise himself with his mount prior to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
Williams took the opportunity for a spin at Cranbourne, Pakenham, or Flemington on Tuesday morning, opting for Flemington to partner Pembrey for the initial time.
Pembrey had Williams in the saddle as she streaked down the Flemington straight in readiness for the 1200-metre Group 1 contest for three-year-olds this Saturday.
While the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is traditionally known as Victoria Derby Day, the Coolmore Stud Stakes, judging by the nominations, has assembled a stellar field and is poised to be a standout race of the Carnival.
Williams was impressed with the feel of the filly as she galloped alongside a partner and might just be the overlooked contender in Saturday’s lineup.
Under the care of prominent Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan, Pembrey achieved victory first-up in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick on August 22 and has not raced since finishing in the midfield of the Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 5.
“She’s very dynamic, she’s very fast.,” Williams stated.
“For not an overly big style of horse, she really covers the ground, and she was quite electric in her work this morning.
“It was her first look down the straight and it was quite sharp.
“I think it’s great for them to have a look. It’s quite unusual as it’s the only straight track we have in Australia over 1200 metres, and that’s where they’re competing on Saturday.
“Even to have a great surface to gallop on, for those horses in these big races, it is a huge advantage after coming off a lot of worn and wet tracks.”
Williams guided the Chris Waller-trained September Run to victory in the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2020 and insists there’s never a lacklustre edition of the race.
“It’s a cracking race,” Williams remarked.
“You never look back and say it was a weak Coolmore. They always stand up and this is no different with all different form references.
“It will be very competitive.”
Consider checking out the latest Australian betting sites for competitive odds on the Coolmore Stud Stakes.