Kia Ora Stud were unable to sell Pembrey when she was offered at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale Book 2 last year with a modest $20,000 reserve, but the decision to keep the flying daughter of Prague has proven a good one.
Sent to Queensland to be prepared by Tony Gollan, Pembrey won impressively on debut at Eagle Farm in February, earning a trip to Sydney with a win in the Group 3 ATC Magic Night Stakes, putting her into the Golden Slipper.
A wide draw put paid to her chances that day, but Pembrey has put it well and truly behind her with a pleasing trial at Deagon giving connections the confidence to return to Sydney again for the Group 2 ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Driven forward to lead from a wide gate by James McDonald, Pembrey led her rivals a merry dance and was not for catching.
She kicked away to win by two and a half lengths over progressive Too Darn Hot (GB) filly Bangkok Hottie with blueblood Pinatubo (IRE) filly Global Goal a good third.
Pembrey has the Princess Series races in her sights, but the brilliance of her win will make for conversation as regards The Everest.
“I haven’t really thought about The Everest to be honest, but I would think about anything with her,” Tony Gollan said.
“I will let the dust settle on this and my plan has been the Princess Series as I have been keen to get her to 1400m.
“But anything is an option, although I probably wouldn’t want a three-year-old filly to take on the good horse from Hong Kong (Ka Ying Rising).
“But the (owners) Kia Ora team will have their opinion and we will look at all the facts and figures. I do know she is very talented.”
James McDonald had plenty of praise for Pembrey.
“This race is always the same,” he said.
“They all get their position, they’re all looking after them for the next one and we always go slower in these sort of lead up type of races.”
“For her to be in a good spot and be able to quicken off it, it’s pretty impressive. Hats off to Tony, it was a good effort.”
Bred and retained to race by Kia Ora, Pembrey has three wins from five starts and prizemoney topping $360,000.
She is a half-sister to stakes-placed Amplify and is the first stakes-winner among eight winners from Group 2 winner Se Saveur, a half-sister by Bel Esprit to Group 1 SA Derby winner Escado.
Pembrey is the star performer for her sire Prague, who was transferred to Oaklands Stud in Queensland this year after starting his stud career with Kia Ora and he stands at a fee of $8,800.
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