Gollan keeping Pembrey options open

By Glenn Davis

Champion trainer Tony Gollan says he’s under no pressure with his gun filly Pembrey and will consider all future options after she tackles the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The Furious Stakes is part of the Princess Series in Sydney and culminates with the Group 1 Flight Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick on October 3.

Pembrey, who was crowned Queensland’s 2YO Horse of the Year, produced a brilliant return to racing with a dominant win in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick on August 22.

“The plan was always to run in the Silver Shadow and then the Furious Stakes, then look at all the other options after that,” Gollan said.

“If she doesn’t go for the Princess Series, she could go to other races like the Golden Rose or the Coolmore Stakes.”

The $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose will be run at Rosehill on September 26 while the $2 million Group 1 Coolmore Stakes will be held at Flemington on October 31.

Jockey James McDonald suggested after his Silver Shadow Stakes victory on Pembrey that the three-year-old filly should head towards the $20 million The Everest at Randwick next month.

However, Gollan wouldn’t be drawn into starting Pembrey in The Everest.

“We’ll just see how she runs on Saturday first and make any decision after that where she heads next,” Gollan said.

“I’m really happy with her after she won the Silver Shadow and I’d like to think she’s got more improvement.

“I’m not really sure where she’ll go next, so we’ll work it out after Saturday.”

Sydney rider Tommy Berry will partner Pembrey with McDonald required for the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Chayan, who started favourite when eighth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill in March.

Gollan is also pleased with his Group 1-winning star Transatlantic, who resumes in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes at Randwick.

Transatlantic hasn’t raced since beating two runners home in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June.

“He left on Wednesday to travel to Sydney, but he’s not a first-up horse,” Gollan said.

“He won a barrier trial quite well at Doomben last week and Ben Thompson will go down for the ride.

“I think first-up he could be vulnerable, but we’ll see how he goes and a race like the Hill Stakes over 1900 metres looks a nice option for him.

“There’s even a chance he could go back to Melbourne for another crack at the Toorak Handicap, which he won last year.”