IN-FORM young stayer The Cleaner appears certain to shorten in the market after drawing a great gate at the official Devonport Cup barrier draw at Tapeta Park Spreyton today.
The Cleaner will start from gate four in the field of 14 and t7he four-year-old’s trainer Mick Burles was thrilled when he stepped to the stage to draw the barrier.
“I could have selected gate one or two but I thought that could have left my horse vulnerable as he could have possibly been crossed but from gate four he should be safe from trouble,” Burles said.
The Cleaner is the likely leader in the $100,000 race over 1880m but the only interstate invader in the race Uchimura, from the South Australian stable of Tony McEvoy, also is a bold front-runner and he will have a task to fill his normal racing pattern from barrier 12.
Other top chances to draw well were race favourite Too M any reds that drew gate seven and the Troy Blacker-trained Dream Flyer that will start from barrier three.
The final field including barrier draw is:
Race 8 – 4:42PM Simons Design Centre, The Tile People, Devonport Cup (1880 METRES)
Of $100,000.1st $60,000, 2nd $18,000, 3rd $9,000, 4th $4,500, 5th $2,500, 6th $2,000, 7th $2,000, 8th $2,000
Handicap, Minimum Weight 54kg, Apprentices cannot claim.
Field Limit: 14 + 5 EM