Pembrey puts The Everest in play after stunning Randwick blitz

These are the options being considered after Pembrey made a mess of her rivals with a stunning display of sustained speed in the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Pembrey was simply too fast and too good for her rivals, winning by more than two lengths easing down but still stopping the clock at a very fast 1m 08.74s despite the soft 5 track conditions.

Trainer Tony Gollan revealed his plan is to set Pembrey for the Princess Series culminating with the Group 1 $750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.

But the sheer brilliance of Pembrey’s winning return has suddenly put her into the conversation for the Group 1 $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at the same track two weeks after the Flight Stakes.

“THAT WAS ARROGANT!” 😤

Pembrey with a devastating win in the Silver Shadow Stakes!@mcacajamez @tonygollan pic.twitter.com/Xl3TE2mmji

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 22, 2026

“I haven’t really thought about The Everest to be honest,” Gollan said. “But I would think about anything with her.

“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 would I want a three-year-old filly to take on the good horse from Hong Kong (Ka Ying Rising), probably not.

“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.”

Pembrey ($4.40) jumped straight to the front and gave her chasing rivals windburn as she streaked home two-and-a-half lengths clear of the fast finishing Bangkok Hottie ($6) with Global Goal ($14) just over a length away third.

McDonald’s comment post-race might have been said in jest but it also put The Everest into the mix.

“Give her a slot (in The Everest),” McDonald said. “She was exceptional.

“She showed great sustained speed, and to be able to quicken off that, that’s impressive.”

McDonald said Pembrey was able to get across and lead without any pressure which only adds merit to her win and the fast time she recorded.

“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.”

If Gollan decides to stay with Plan A, then the four-race Princess Series comprises the Silver Shadow Stakes then the Furious Stakes (1200m), Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and the Flight Stakes (1600m).

Only two fillies have won all four legs of the series, Samantha Miss (2008) and Angst (1993).

Pembrey showed considerable promise last season including her win in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes before she failed in the Golden Slipper behind Guest House but she seems set to go to a new level this season.

“She has given us a really good feel at home but as all of us trainers know when they show that good two-year-old form they come back at three with all these expectations, you want to see them do it on raceday,” Gollan said.

“It was great to have James (McDonald, jockey) booked on her two or three weeks ago which was a big help to me and she has had a faultless preparation.

“I think when we get her out to 1400m she will be just as effective.

“I want to follow the Princess Series as long as her form holds up and she keeps on improving on what we have seen today.”