I would use any race that has a racial bonus to strength or wisdom, and has no penalties to constitution. So by that criteria a dwarf, half-elf, half-orc, or human would qualify.
If you choose to pump strength higher that wisdom, then choose spells that do not involve a saving throw. Be careful how many of your resources you put into being a primary combatant, because a full-BAB class can do it better and more easily than you. On the other hand, if you put perhaps a 14 in strength, you will still have points to put in other ability scores and will be able to assist the primary combatants. Its up to you if you want to focus on having shield for AC or having a two-handed weapon.
If you are going to focus more on fighting and using your spells for support and healing than you will probably want a race that can get a bonus to STR. If you are going to focus more on spells than you will want a race with a bonus to Wisdom. A race with a flexible bonus will work in either case.
Humans are always a good choice. The extra feat and skill points are always useful. Use the extra for proficiency in heavy armor without having to multiclass.
Half Orc is also a very good race for a battle cleric. They get proficiency in a couple of good weapons so their damage will be decent. Having darkvision is also a big advantage. Orc Ferocity work really well for a cleric as it can keep you in the fight when anyone else would be down for the count.
Half Elf gets the flexible stat bonus, but does not bring much else to the table.
An Oread gets a bonus to both STR and WIS so make pretty good clerics. The penalty to CHA will reduce your ability to energy. Unless you have Earth as one of domains swap out Earth Affinity for Crystalline Form. I would also swap out Energy Resistance Acid for Granite Skin.
There are many ways to do a battle cleric. If you want to play a fighter who can heal himself, you can consider a cleric, a paladin, or a battle oracle. Since you don't want to play a dwarf, let me recommend a human or a half-orc. Both are simple, straightforward, and will give you extra help in combat.
If you're building one from scratch and you're new, choose a human cleric of Gorum, Strength and Destruction domains, and take Power Attack.
And note: focus on doing good in combat. Do NOT think about healing yourself until afterward.
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Since you mention Advanced races, I'd also suggest looking at Aasimar and Tiefling variants.
Basic Aasimar get a bonus to Wis and Cha, helping your casting and channeling. The angel blooded and archon blooded variants also have good stat boosts for you.
The basic tiefling for you is no good, but the Oni and Qlippoth spawn both get Str and Wis boosts, which fit you to a T.
As for advice playing a battle cleric, take a look at some of the cleric guides in the Sticky. I'd particularly suggest taking a look at The Reach Cleric Guide, which will help you learn to optimize how you use your actions.
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Battle Clerics tend to be starved for feats. As such, Humans are often 'best', because they get an extra feat at 1st level. Humans are generally a top-choice race, for nearly any character concept.
I second revaar's advice to read the various Cleric guides, and especially the reach cleric guide.
It sounds like you want some martial skill for your Cleric. This can take anywhere from 25% of your basic build resources, up the full 100% of your build resources. It depends what else you want to do.