TASMANIA’S star galloper The Cleaner delivered another brilliant performance to win the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes to clinch a start in the Cox Plate.
Dubbed the “Longford Lion” form his bold front-running style of racing, the Mick Burles trained gelding not only won but demolished a star-studded line-up that included multiple Group-one winner Contributer that had a charmed run but was unable to match the strength and determination of the Tasmanian.
Burles was thrilled with the win and reaffirmed his belief that the gelded son of Savoire Vivre has returned to racing bigger and better than ever.
The Cleaner was backed in to start the $6 third favourite behind Contributer ($2.30) and Mourinho ($5) that defeated The Cleaner first-up three weeks ago in the B. P. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.
The Cleaner won the race last year to give him ballot-free entry into the Cox Plate and to do it again against much stronger opposition is testament to his ability.
In making it successive wins in the race The Cleaner joins an elite group including Whobegotyou that won back-to-back Datos in 2009-10.
Burles said he will make a decision on where his stable star will start next after he discusses the options with the owners.
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