Trainer Mick Kent is considering backing up in-form galloper Philda in the $200,000 Winter Championship Series Final on Saturday week after he runs at Moonee Valley on Saturday.Philda is engaged in the Don Abell Cup (1514m) at the Valley where the last four of his 11 wins have been, including the equivalent event at this meeting last year.Kent scratched Philda from last year's Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington which was dominated by Doubtful Jack but feels the 1600m event is not as

Trainer Mick Kent is considering backing up in-form galloper Philda in the $200,000 Winter Championship Series Final on Saturday week after he runs at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Philda is engaged in the Don Abell Cup (1514m) at the Valley where the last four of his 11 wins have been, including the equivalent event at this meeting last year.

Kent scratched Philda from last year's Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington which was dominated by Doubtful Jack but feels the 1600m event is not as strong this year.

"He's never performed at Flemington but he's a year older now and settling better so I'm considering it," the Cranbourne trainer said.

The rising seven-year-old ran fourth to Jungle Ruler and fifth to Doubtful Jack in 1400m heats of the series at Flemington last year.

He hasn't contested any heats this year but Kent is hoping he'll still be able to sneak into the final despite having earned no points.

Stable apprentice Adam McCabe will ride Philda on Saturday and his two-kilogram metropolitan allowance will bring the topweight in with 57kg.

McCabe won on Philda at this meeting last year and last start when he scored over 1600m from Finishing Card and Snort at the Valley on June 18.

"He's drawn terribly (barrier 16) on Saturday which makes it harder," Kent said.

The trainer said the Secret Savings gelding had paid for his consistency, winning 11 races and being placed in another 12 of his 35 starts which have earned connections more than $335,000.

"He's one of those ratings horses who wins on his right mark but then pays the penalty by going up four points," Kent said.

"I don't think he should have gone up at all."

Philda now has a rating of 103.

Among his opposition in the 14-horse field plus four emergencies are Jungle Ruler, who'll be ridden by Michael Rodd replacing the injured Darren Gauci, and the Peter Moody-trained Mr Make Believe who has won six of his 10 starts including his last twoat Sandown on heavy tracks.

The going at the Valley was on Wednesday rated a dead (5).