STAR Tasmanian galloper celebrated the New Year by leading the Longford Cup field onto the track and it was clear the Mick Burles-trained gelding was in racing mode.
The Cleaner took the nation by storm last year when his bold front-running racing style led him to win the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley and the JRA Cup at the same track before finishing a gallant third in the Group 1 Emirate Stakes at Flemington.
He travelled to Perth, WA, for the Railway Stakes but it proved a fruitless exercise and he was sent to the spelling paddock at Armidale Stud to recuperate from a campaign that netted his owners just over $500,000.
The Cleaner was back in Burles’ stable this week and yesterday he looked right at home parading before about 5000 people who flocked to Longford for the Tasmanian Turf Club’s annual New Year’s Day meeting at the popular country track.
When The Cleaner led the Cup field onto the track and then paraded before the public it was obvious to those who know the horse that he was keen to get to the barriers and do what he does best.
“I am very happy that the big crowd appreciated him being at the meeting and I’m sure the horse is starting to enjoy all the added attention,” Burles said.
The horse’s owners Bill Fawdry, Jim Lowish and Paul Burt were also on hand for photo opportunities.
The Cleaner will also make a special guest appearance at the official launch of the 2015 Betfair Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival at The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston on Monday morning (January 5) at 11 am.