Jockey Craig Williams has taken the initiative to get acquainted with his ride before the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
Williams seized the opportunity to engage in trackwork at Cranbourne, Pakenham, or Flemington on Tuesday morning, choosing Flemington to partner Pembrey for the first time.
Pembrey, with Williams in the saddle, galloped down the Flemington straight in preparation for the 1200-metre Group 1 contest 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 attracted, based on nominations, a stellar lineup and is anticipated to be one of the Carnival’s highlight races.
Williams was satisfied with the filly’s feel as she galloped alongside a partner and might prove to be the overlooked contender in Saturday’s field.
Pembrey, trained by leading Brisbane conditioner Tony Gollan, scored first-up in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick on August 22 and has not competed since finishing midfield in 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, who rode the Chris Waller-trained September Run to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2020, believes the race is always competitive.
“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.”
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