This pair flew the flag for Tasmania across the water on many occasions and had plenty of success doing so. One captured the attention of the nation with his racing story and the other perhaps an underrated galloper given his record, particularly in Victoria.
The Cleaner
The Cleaner (Anthony Darmanin) easily holds out Jakcorijim in the WFA George Adams.
- Bay Gelding
- 58 starts
- 19 wins
- 16 minor placings
- $1,349,770 prizemoney
- First start: February 2011
- Trainer: Mick Burles
It took The Cleaner six starts to win his maiden and his average starting price across his first five runs was $30, so it took punters a while to realise the talent he possessed. He was tough as nails and his ability to sustain a strong gallop out in front was often too much for his opposition. He won 19 races but never below a mile and only up to 2150m. He was a Listed Tasmanian Stakes winner in 2012, and finished second in the Hobart Cup the following year but his best results came in Victoria. He won the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes twice which afforded him ballot free entry into the Cox Plate which he took up each time. He was placed twice at Group 1 level in the Emirates Stakes and Underwood, finishing his career with over $1.3 million in prizemoney.
Tshahitsi
Tshahitsi gets the better of Gee Gee Red Prince and Admiral in the 2016 Newmarket handicap in Launceston.
- Brown or Black Gelding
- 33 starts
- 13 wins
- 4 minor placings
- $511,025 prizemoney
- First start: February 2015
- Trainer: Chris Crook & Imogen Miller
Tshahitsi worked his way through the grades in Tasmania quickly, tasting his first black-type success winning the 2016 Newmarket, beating a hot field to do so. The majority of his racing in recent seasons has been on the mainland, in fact his appearance in the 2019 Newmarket was his first race on home soil since the 2017 Devonport Cup. He’s tasted success five times in Victoria including the Listed Winter Championship and Barton Stakes, and finished 5th in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis down the Flemington straight in September last year.
Vote now for your favourite – The Cleaner or Tshahitsi
*Voting will close at 14:00 on 25 April. Only the first submission per email address will be considered.