Tony Gollan is putting a winning combination back together at Randwick with James McDonald set to reunite with Pembrey in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes on Saturday.
Stepping straight up to the 1200-metre journey first-up, the Brisbane-based premiership dominator has no hesitation to expect a forward showing from the three-year-old to begin her spring campaign.
“She’s improved and we’d like to see her show her worth and pick up from where she left off,” Gollan said.
McDonald was aboard the filly to win the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in February but chose another option in the Golden Slipper so Tim Clark combined with Pembrey for a torrid passage to finish near last in that 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 said.
“She has had jumped out and trialled well both times.
“She has been at Randwick for a week now.”
Gollan lamented Pembrey drawing widest barrier in the Golden Slipper and then suffering interference in the run.
“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 already had a higher opinion the filly before her debut win and that was vindicated on her first trip to the races to Eagle Farm.
Pembrey notched a Racing and Sports rating of 105 in her Magic Night win as a two-year-old with the recent trends showing a general improvement on the Silver Shadow winning rating on their previous peak after turning a year older.
2022 winner Zougotcha improved 15 ratings points while 2023 and 2025 winners Autumn Ballet and Savvy Hallie maintained their marks of 106.
