The Cleaner on trial for 2016 Cox Plate
THE 2016 Cox Plate could be at stake for The Cleaner as it targets three consecutive Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes victories this Saturday at Moonee Valley.
Having been trained with Mick Burles for most of its career, the nine-year-old has experienced a stable change and stable manager Manny Gelagotis believes Saturday’s race will tell them how it’s travelling towards a possible third Cox Plate attempt.
“It’s been the target race (Dato Tan Chin Nam) from when we got him,” Gelagotis said. “The horse is ready to run well and we’re confident he will.
“We’ll know after Saturday whether we have to drop back a cog, head to the Cox Plate, or concentrate on the feature mile races.”
The Cleaner was far from impressive first up in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes, but Gelagotis was happy with run moving forward.
“We were happy enough with the run. It didn’t suit getting into a fight with Lord Of The Sky. It was a blanket finish and then there was a bit of carnage when Lord Of The Sky drifted out so he should have finished closer,” he said.
“Most importantly Steve Arnold (jockey) was happy with his action.”
Gelagotis said The Cleaner has been working well since arriving at the stable and he doesn’t believe it’s too old to contest the major races.
“He came to us to get over an injury and he’s rehabbed well and he’s back too full fitness,” Gelagotis said.
“There might be conjecture in the public he’s too old but we’ve been very pleased with everything he’s done too date so we’re thinking there’s no reason he can’t get close to his best but the next couple of starts will tell us where he sits in the pecking order.”
The Cleaner is currently a $15 chance at CrownBet.com.au.