Trainer Tony Gollan is reuniting a successful partnership at Randwick for the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes this Saturday, with jockey James McDonald set to ride Pembrey once more.
Despite jumping straight to the 1200-metre distance first-up, the leading Brisbane trainer has high expectations for the three-year-old’s spring campaign opener.
“She’s improved and we’d like to see her show her worth and pick up from where she left off,” Gollan said.
McDonald had previously guided the filly to victory in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in February. However, he opted for another mount in the Golden Slipper, leading to Tim Clark partnering Pembrey for a challenging run that saw her finish near the rear in the Group 1 feature.
“We got to give her a really nice break off the Slipper and we’ve had plenty of time to bring her up,” Gollan stated.
“She has had jumped out and trialled well both times. She has been at Randwick for a week now.”
Gollan expressed frustration over Pembrey’s widest draw in the Golden Slipper and subsequent interference during the race.
“She did a lot of work and worked the whole way,” Gollan recalled.
“She got tightened up over the last furlong but it was also the end of a first racing prep.”
Gollan held a strong belief in the filly’s potential even before her debut win, a sentiment that was confirmed during her initial outing at Eagle Farm.
Pembrey achieved a Racing and Sports rating of 105 in her two-year-old Magic Night Stakes victory. Recent performance trends indicate that horses often improve their Silver Shadow winning rating after their first year.
For instance, the 2022 winner Zougotcha saw a 15-point rating increase, while the 2023 and 2025 victors, Autumn Ballet and Savvy Hallie, maintained their respective marks of 106.
Pembrey is expected to perform well in the Silver Shadow Stakes and is a strong contender in the racing odds.