BOLD front-running middle distance star The Cleaner ended his campaign on a high when he led all the way to win the $100,000 Listed George Adams Plate over 1600 metres in Launceston yesterday.
It was a masterful training effort from the gelding’s mentor Mick Burles who opted to bypass the Launceston Cup and run in the 1600-metre classic.
The Cleaner has never been a genuine stayer winning up to 2000 metres so Burles convinced the owners to let him concentrate on targeting more suitable races for the son of Savoir Vivre.
With Anthony Darmanin aboard, The Cleaner showed his customary early speed to lead and gradually increased the tempo 800-metres out.
The field started to close the gap and at one stage in the home straight it appeared as if Jakcorijim would make a race of it but when Darmanin called on his charge for the supreme effort he found more to eventually go on and defeat Jakcorijim by two lengths with three-year-old Inner Warrior almost the same margin away third.
“I was adamant about going to this race instead of the Launceston Cup,” Burles said.
“The horse is competitive over the trip (2400m) but he doesn’t really get it.”
“I as very confident he would run a great race in this today but I also was mindful that he may have had enough.”
“This is a great way for him to end his season,” Burles said.
It was The Cleaner’ 14th career win with the $60,000 winner’s purse taking his career earnings to almost $440,000.
Jakcorijim was gallant in defeat and the three-year-old Inner Warrior also gave his all to suggest he will develop into a top class miler.