Pembrey, ridden by James McDonald, led throughout and comfortably held her rivals at bay to win the Group 3 $250,000 Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
Although Pembrey is not currently among the entries for the Golden Slipper, her Magic Night victory guarantees her a place in the $5 million race next Saturday should her connections decide to pay the late entry fee.
Trainer Tony Gollan said if Pembrey pulls up well from the win he would recommend the owners pay the $150,000 late nomination fee to secure a start in the feature.
“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.”
It is expected there will be three late entry payments made by the 11am deadline on Monday with Closer To Free and Music Time also likely to be paid up for the Golden Slipper.
The most recent late entry to win the race was Crystal Lily in 2010.
Pembrey ($2.05 favourite) was ridden by champion jockey James McDonald to an easy 1.5 length victory over Lumbini ($10) with By Choice ($4.60) another 1.25 lengths away in third.
McDonald offered an insightful post-race comparison when discussing Pembrey alongside Chayan, whom he rode to win the Reisling Stakes last week.
“Pembrey’s a beautiful filly. Last week’s filly (Chayan) was great as well and she’s very similar,” McDonald said.
Chayan remains equal favourite at $5 with Paradoxium for the Golden Slipper, while Pembrey is currently quoted at $15.
McDonald admitted he was responsible for Pembrey’s defeat in the Sweet Embrace Stakes and was pleased to make amends 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 is now aiming to become the seventh horse to complete the Magic Night Stakes–Golden Slipper double, following Kiamichi (2019), Bint Marscay (1993), Bounding Away (1986), Dark Eclipse (1980), Century Miss (1979) and Toy Show (1975).
