BRENDON Hearps was a nervous man as Money Clip made his way to the barriers for the Poyser Trucks Isuzu Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).
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The Bendigo trainer has never doubted Money Clip’s ability, but the horse has an injury list as long as the Bendigo Jockey Club straight.
“He’s only got one good leg and even that one is a worry,’’ Hearps said before they jumped.
He need not have worried.
With Bendigo boy Brad Rawiller in the saddle, Money Clip lived up to its potential and won impressively.
“He’s had troubles from day dot this fellow,’’ Hearps said after the win.
“He’s had a fractured shoulder, been shin sore three times, torn a muscle off the bone, banged his head against the barriers.
“He’ll drive you to drink this horse. Even two weeks ago I thought to myself that if he gets injured again I’ll pull the pin.
“He won a jump-out here at Bendigo last week. The horse can gallop and he did the right thing today.”
Money Clip ($2.60 fav) won by half a length from the fast-finishing Nightcraft, with Florelle a close-up third for Kyneton trainer George Osborne.
Rawiller said winning a race for Hearps on Bendigo Cup day was a special moment.
“Brendon is a great trainer and I’ve had a lot of luck with him over the years,’’ Rawiller said.
“He was like a Dad to me when I was an apprentice. It was great to get a win for him today.
“I always call Bendigo home, so it’s always good win a race at Bendigo.”
Rawiller said Money Clip had the potential to win city-class races.
“When he had the incredible win at Ballarat I said to Hearpsy that he should go straight to Melbourne with him,’’ Rawiller said.
“Brendon said he had to crawl before he walked and was happy to keep him to country class. He went off in the barriers at his next start at Bendigo and he wasn’t right.
“He had another long lay-off and he’s come back really well today. He’d only had a couple of strong gallops going into this race, so he’ll improve.
“The horse is lucky that he has a good man training him in Brendon Hearps.”
Hearps was undecided where he’ll head with Money Clip next.
“We don’t look too far ahead with him,’’ he said.
“We’ll see how he pulls up from this and go from there.”
Hearps was confident Money Clip wouldn’t be restricted to 1000m-1100m races.
“He’s led in the two races he has won, but he’ll be just as good ridden with a sit,’’ he said.
