Talk to Bendigo trainer Brendon Hearps about his sprinting mare Go Down and it doesn’t take long to sense the frustration in his voice.
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Go Down’s career record of 11 starts for four wins and two placings shows she has ability.
However, she’s already six years old and that record could have been significantly better had injuries not hit.
“She had three chips taken out of one of knees after last preparation,’’ Hearps said.
“The year before she had a bone chip taken out of another knee.
“She’s always got problems. It’s only the ones that can gallop that get problems.”
Hearps’ frustration with Go Down started on Manangatang Cup day two years ago.
“It’s the only time I’ve backed her and I haven’t backed her since,’’ Hearps said.
“I took $500 up there (Manangatang) with no intention of backing her, but the bookies had her $8 and I thought I couldn’t let her go around at that price so I had $300 on her.
“When I went back she was $9, so I had the other $200 on her.
“She (Go Down) was five deep the trip and then she got pushed seven wide on the turn. She went back to second last, stormed home and got beaten a head.
“A couple of strides after the post she was half a length in front. That’s racing.”
Hearps has kept his cash in his pocket since and watched Go Down win four races at odds of $10, $5, $7 and $1.95.
One of those victories was on Bendigo Cup day last year.
After a 43-week break from racing because of the knee injury, Hearps will chase another Bendigo Cup day victory with Go Down in the Bendigo Locksmiths Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) on Wednesday.
“She went okay in a jump out here a couple of weeks ago where she came from last to finish fourth,’’ Hearps said.
“She’s probably not quite where I want her to be, but we’ll send her around and see where she’s up to. With the way her knees are you don’t get many runs with her.
“She likes good surfaces and this track will be superb on Wednesday.”
Hearps said Go Down would have to be at her very best to defeat the David Hayes-trained Thronum on Wednesday. Thronum is a $1.55 favourite for the race.
“I’ve had a look through his form and he looks very smart,’’ Hearps said of the former Gai Waterhouse-trained galloper.
A Go Down win on Wednesday would give Hearps a winner on Bendigo Cup day for the third-straight year.
“I’m not too worried about that type of stuff. As long as I can get some beer money in the bank… that’s all I care about.”
