3 minute read
Avalon-based Michelle Mallia could ‘hear the drums’ for first reserve Fernando Phil in the $83,000 Group 2 Sportsbet Horsham Cup (485m) – Race 8, 9.27pm – on Friday night.
Mallia was on her way home from a doctor's appointment on Wednesday afternoon when she received a text notifying her that Fernando Phil had obtained a berth – due to the scratching of War Time Novelty – in the $55,000 to-the-winner final.
"I feel for the person (Gavin Gledhill) that had to scratch," Mallia said. "But I do think Fernando Phil is now a massive chance in the race.
"He was pretty unlucky when third (beaten 3.8L) to Explicit in a heat last week. He missed the kick a fraction and then he got going, but the 'two' (Top Payer) wouldn't let him down to the rail.
"It was his first look at Horsham, but he still stopped the clock at 27.19sec."
"Even if he can't lead, he'll keep pushing and trying. He gives 100 per cent and just keeps coming."Mallia says "you can't take anything away from Explicit, he's a true champion".
"But with Rob Camilleri's dog in 'five' (Tangela Bale), I'm hoping she gives him a cart across from box six.
"He'll be much better from the look at the track last week. He's a really fast dog; he's shown he can put the times on the board.
"But bad box draws have jeopardised him revealing his true quality. He can prove what he can do when he finds the front; he just needs some clear air early.
"Even if he can't lead, he'll keep pushing and trying. He gives 100 per cent and just keeps coming."
Fernando Phil is $9.00 on Sportsbet's fixed odds market for the Horsham Cup – behind Explicit ($2.05), Nature Strip ($3.40), Tangela Bale ($3.50) and Verdi ($7.50).
Bred by Mallia, Fernando Phil (Jan '22 Fernando Bale x Zoom Out) has raced on 24 occasions for eight wins, six seconds and three thirds with $75,120 in prizemoney.
He finished sixth in the G1 Australian Cup after winning a semi-final in 29.64sec – only Morton(29.53sec) went quicker. And he was a finalist (5th) in the G1 Silver Chief.
Fernando Phil has also reached finals of a G3 Great Chase (4th) and Warrnambool Derby (5th).
Emotions will be sky high if Fernando Phil claims the Horsham Cup. He's named in respect of Mallia's late father-in-law, Phil Magri, who part-owned Fernando Phil before passing away when he was a nine-month-old pup.
Magri's sons, Ronnie and Kevin, part-own Fernando Phil.
Mallia is the only female trainer with a runner in the final – ironically on International Women's Day.
The most recent female trainer to land a Horsham Cup is Andrea Dailly with Shima Shine in 2021. Ironically, Mallia and Dailly were high school classmates.
