Pembrey, with James McDonald in the saddle, dictated the pace from start to finish and easily kept challengers behind to claim the Group 3 $250,000 Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
Pembrey is not listed among the current nominations for the Golden Slipper, but her success in the Magic Night ensures a slot in the $5 million event next Saturday if connections opt to cover the late entry cost.
Trainer Tony Gollan indicated that should Pembrey recover nicely from this triumph, he would advise the owners to submit the $150,000 late nomination fee to lock in a berth in the big race.
“She’s done well over the last two weeks in Sydney and to us it looks as though there’s enough left in the tank to go again in seven days,” Gollan said.
“We’ll let the team make the decision if they want to pay up, we have a look at her all week and see what we’ve got.
“But she’s a nice filly who has hit form at the right time, she handles wet or dry so it won’t matter what the weather throws at us during the week, and she shows good speed so ticks all the boxes.
“We came to Sydney to run in the Golden Slipper so my gut feeling is to back up. We will see how she pulls up but I would imagine we will run her.”
Anticipation is high for three late nominations by the 11am Monday cutoff, including potential payments for Closer To Free and Music Time into the Golden Slipper.
Crystal Lily stands as the latest late entry to conquer the race back in 2010.
The $2.05 market elect Pembrey, guided by top jockey James McDonald, scored a soft 1.5 length success from Lumbini ($10), while By Choice ($4.60) trailed by a further 1.25 lengths for third.
McDonald provided a revealing post-race assessment linking Pembrey to Chayan, the filly he piloted to victory in last week’s Reisling Stakes.
“Pembrey’s a beautiful filly. Last week’s filly (Chayan) was great as well and she’s very similar,” McDonald said.
Chayan shares top spot at $5 alongside Paradoxium in Golden Slipper betting, with Pembrey at $15.
McDonald owned up to his role in Pembrey’s loss during the Sweet Embrace Stakes and expressed delight at redeeming himself in the Magic Night.
“Obviously, I learned a lot, it was a bad ride last start,” McDonald said.
“I’m so happy I can make amends today and Tony (Gollan) was solid by keeping me on. I’m glad I could repay him and the connections because she’s a beautiful filly.
“She began a lot cleaner today and I was alert to her this time. She lengthened well and really built through the gears.”
Pembrey now targets becoming just the seventh horse to achieve the Magic Night Stakes–Golden Slipper double, emulating the likes of Kiamichi (2019), Bint Marscay (1993), Bounding Away (1986), Dark Eclipse (1980), Century Miss (1979) and Toy Show (1975).
Explore the latest Australian betting sites for top odds ahead of the Golden Slipper.
