Jockey Craig Williams has taken the chance to acquaint himself with his mount ahead of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington in 2026.
Williams had the chance to ride work at Cranbourne, Pakenham, or Flemington on Tuesday morning, opting for Flemington to partner Pembrey for the first occasion.
Pembrey, with Williams in the saddle, galloped down the Flemington straight as preparation for the 1200-metre Group 1 race for three-year-olds this Saturday.
While the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is known as Victoria Derby Day, the Coolmore Stud Stakes has assembled a star-studded field based on nominations and is set to be one of the Carnival’s premier races.
Williams was pleased with the filly’s performance underneath him as she galloped with a partner and could be the forgotten runner in Saturday’s lineup.
Prepared by leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan, Pembrey won first-up in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick on August 22 and has not raced since finishing midfield in the Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 5.
“She’s very dynamic, she’s very fast.,” Williams said.
“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 partnered the Chris Waller-trained September Run to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2020 and states there is never a weak edition of the race.
“It’s a cracking race,” Williams commented.
“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.”
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