Williams’ Coolmore dark horse turns heads at Flemington

Jockey Craig Williams has taken the opportunity to get to know his mount ahead of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.

Williams had the opportunity to ride work at Cranbourne, Pakenham or Flemington on Tuesday morning, and chose the latter to partner Pembrey for the first time.

Pembrey had Williams aboard when she galloped down the Flemington straight in preparation for the 1200m Group 1 clash for three-year-olds on Saturday.

While the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is known as Victoria Derby Day, the Coolmore Stud Stakes has brought together, looking at the nominations, a star-studded field and is set to be one of the races of the Carnival.

Williams liked what he felt was underneath him as the filly galloped with a partner and may be the forgotten runner in Saturday’s line up.

Prepared by leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan, Pembrey scored first-up in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick on August 22 and has not been seen 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 claim the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2020 and says there is never a weak edition of the race.

“It’s a cracking race,” Williams said.

“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.”