THOSE who were lucky enough to have a few dollars on Will Trapper in last Saturday night’s Inter-Dominion trotters semi-final should spare a thought for Gary Bailey.Bailey is the owner of Will Trapper and without his determination the star trotter wouldn’t have even made it to Moonee Valley last weekend.As a two-year-old, Will Trapper was found in his paddock with flesh from his hock to his fetlock dragging on the ground.Bailey, from Portarlington, rushed Will Trapper to the Werribee Veterinary Clinic.The news wasn’t good, with vets advising Bailey that Will Trapper should be put down.Bailey refused to give in and took Will Trapper home.It was a decision that has paid handsome dividends for Bailey.It took 12 months for the leg to heal and Will Trapper didn’t finish closer than seventh in its first six starts, but since joining the Sedgwick stables of John Noonan the horse has quickly developed into one of the stars of Australasian trotting.‘‘The fact the horse is lucky to be alive makes this all the more special,’’ Noonan said.‘‘If Gary Bailey hadn’t been so sure that the horse had ability … well, he wouldn’t be here.‘‘The horse has overcome a lot of problems to be where he is today.’’Will Trapper, now a six-year-old, has raced 17 times for Noonan and only missed earning a cheque three times.In the space of 10 months Will Trapper has gone from winning a maiden event for trotters at Bendigo to being third favourite for this Saturday night’s Inter-Dominion final.‘‘There’s not many horses around who can do that,’’ Noonan said.`‘We had a lot of trouble with him to start with because he galloped all the time.‘‘There was a couple of starts where he galloped a couple of times in a race and was giving away 60 metre starts, but still either won or ran a place.‘‘He’s just got raw talent and it’s taken a bit of time.’’Noonan’s story is just as remarkable as his stable star’s.The 66-year-old was a shearer by trade and started his training career in the greyhound industry more than 30 years ago.As a greyhound trainer he learnt how to manipulate dog muscles.Noonan had a natural knack of helping sore greyhounds and he soon turned his hand to horses.Before too long he was inundated with requests from horse trainers for his help.Noonan gave up greyhound training and for the best part of 25 years he travelled around Victoria working on the muscles of standardbreds and thoroughbreds.Noonan has a 450-acre property at Sedgwick that includes a 1300 m track built into a steep hill.Noonan uses the undulating circuit for all his track work.‘‘When I was still working I spent some time in Ireland and talked with a few of the galloping trainers about hill work,’’ Noonan said.‘‘When used properly, they think it’s the best way to train horses.’’Noonan’s right-hand man is Todd Matthews.Matthews has driven Will Trapper in most of his 23 starts.‘‘I’m amazed Todd doesn’t get more drives,’’ Noonan said.‘‘He’s done a great job for us and he’s a very under-rated driver.Matthews will have the drive again in this Saturday’s final.