Club Liquid Looking To Secure Second Darwin Cup Victory

Club Liquid will attempt to win his second $175,000 Darwin Cup at Fannie Bay Racecourse this Monday.

The rising eight-year-old won the 2008 Darwin Cup and finished third in the race last year despite suffering from persistent feet issues.

“It was a big effort for a horse who could hardly walk a week before,” said trainer Dick Leech.

“It’s just adrenalin that keeps him going. Some horses would sook if you pinched them but this old fella despite his problems puts in 100% all of the time.

“It isn’t bad for a horse who at three the vets told me wouldn’t race again. He has proved them all wrong.

“He is a beautiful old horse even though he spends half his life on ice.”

Leech uses salt water to combat Club Liquid’s serious feet problems.

“He spends most of his time at the beach swimming and wading through the water,” Leech said.

“That saltwater just does his feet wonders.

“He loves it, you move the truck up to his paddock and he comes and stands at the front gate.

“He knows where he is going, you don’t even have to lead him, he just walks up and jumps up straight on the truck.

“Touch wood the old fella is going quite good.”

The trainer believes that if last year is anything to go by, Club Liquid will be in with a fighting chance to win this year’s Cup.

“He was gutsy last year running third,” Leech said.

“They will know he is there (on Monday).

“It would be lovely if he could win it, I would be the happiest bloke on earth.”

Club Liquid finished fifth in the Metric Mile behind Hawks Bay last Saturday.

“He missed the kick the other day and baulked at the start, threw his head up but it was still a good run,” Leech said.

“He made up a lot of ground coming home and he pulled up alright.”

Leech said that Monday’s Darwin Cup, which will be Club Liquid’s 50th career start, may also be his last.

“He would have to pull up really good after the Cup because if he didn’t I would probably retire him,” Leech said.

“He will go out home and be a watchdog.”

Club Liquid has won eight of his 49 race starts and has earned close to $300,000 in prize money.

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