Sandgroper Trial The Best Medicine For Mallia

MICHELLE Mallia admits she felt physically ill as she prepared to trial Fernando Phil at Cannington ahead of Thursday night's $600,000 The Sandgroper (520m).

While multiple Group 1 winner Mallia is well-acquainted with big race pressure, she felt the blowtorch as Fernando Phil stepped into the giant shoes of former champion Wow She's Fast when taking Sportsbet's slot in WA's most lucrative greyhound race.

FIELDS, FORM AND PRICES FOR CANNINGTON ON THURSDAY NIGHT

The now-retired Wow She's Fast represented Sportsbet in last year's inaugural Sandgroper, as well as all three runnings of The Phoenix.

But Mallia's concerns vanished and her confidence of pulling off a $300,000 heist in The Sandgroper soared when her Group 2 Horsham Cup hero and G1 Australian Cup finalist trialled impressively.

"We were driving to Cannington to trial Fernando Phil and Steve Shinners (WA trainer) asked me what was wrong," Mallia recalled.

"I said I feel sick. I was thinking what if he runs 30-something and I've got to ring Sportsbet and tell them?

"When he came out and ran 29.62 it felt like 100 kilos was lifted off my shoulders! It was a huge relief.

"In his trial he came out and went down on his nose and then he went like a crab while he tried to gather momentum. They told me his run-home was phenomenal.

"There's a lot of pressure when someone selects you for a race like this and Wow She's Fast leaves massive shoes to fill. 

"If we can fill one of her shoes I'll be happy!"

While box five would usually be a major concern ahead of any feature event, Mallia is optimistic the race shape of The Sandgroper may play out in Fernando Phil's favour.

"I wanted to draw around box four, so I'm happy with the draw," said Mallia.

"Fernando Phil wants to run in the middle of the track and I don't really have a lot of pace around me.

"The seven (Trooper Tears) wants off and the three (Sunset Frazier) wants to come down and it's lightning early.

"I took him over to Perth two Thursdays ago to trial and then brought him back home. He's a very sensitive dog and isn't the sort of dog I felt I could leave over there.

"He handled the flight so well; we're flying back on Wednesday."

Fernando Phil, a son of Fernando Bale and Zoom Out, bred by Mallia and named in honour of her late father-in-law Phil Magri, is $12 in Sandgroper betting.

"He's got to come out like we know he can," Mallia said.

"The three is probably going to lead and he could hold up the one (Big Energy) and two (Morton).

"If my dog nails the start he might be able to pinch a break. He does have a run home, but if Hector Fawley or Big Energy are sitting on my hammer we'll be in trouble. But so would any dog!

"I've got a really good vibe about the race. I think I'm a big chance to steal some of their money!"

While her immediate focus is clearly on The Sandgroper, Mallia is also looking excitedly ahead to in-form speedster Matt Loch taking his place in next Thursday night's (April 25) G2 Warrnambool Cup heats.

Matt Loch, a son of Aussie Infrared and Stepping, has been airborne in winning his last three starts at Ballarat in 24.85 and Warrnambool in a near-record 24.72 and 25.08.

"How good is he going?" Mallia said.