HIGHLY promising stayer The Cleaner continued his plunder on the minor cups races yesterday and it is now time for him to step into the ``A league''.
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The Cleaner gave his opposition a galloping lesson in yesterday's $15,500 Longford Cup, winning by over four lengths and finishing with plenty up his sleeve.
It followed his win in the Brighton Cup at Elwick on December 11 and trainer Mick Burles now has plans to step the four-year-old up into top company.
``Providing he pulls up well from this race his next start will be in the Devonport Cup,'' Burles said.
The $100,000 Devonport Cup will be run at Spreyton Park on Wednesday week and Burles is now waiting on a telephone call from jockey Stephen Maskiell.
``Stephen has first offer to ride him in the Devonport Cup but he wanted to wait until after today's races,'' he said.
``He would have to be impressed with what the horse did today.''
If he accepts the mount it will give Maskiell the opportunity of winning the Devonport Cup a third time after winning previously on Nakagima (1989) and Russian Rogue (1992).
For Burles it will be his first Devonport Cup runner in nearly 40 years in racing.
``I held an a-grade licence for 16 years when I was based at Mowbray and I then took a job as foreman for Allan Stubbs and when he died I renewed my licence,'' he said.
The 62-year-old now trains at Longford and said winning his home-town cup gave him an enormous thrill.
``I've won bigger races like the Tasmanian Guineas but it is always good to win at home,'' he said.
Burles has a ballot-free entry for The Cleaner into the $225,000 Hobart Cup courtesy of his win in the Brighton Cup.
The Cleaner is now rewarding Burles for his patience as the gelding didn't start racing until February last year and has now won six races and been placed three times from 13 starts.
Yesterday The Cleaner ($1.80 fav) gave another display of his bold front-running style.
After being engaged in an early speed battle with runner-up Lightly Spiced he took over the lead as the field left the home straight and from there the result was never in doubt.
Lightly Spiced ($11.50) battled on gamely to run second with Uboa ($11.90) filling third place.
Burles bought The Cleaner for $11,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Yearling Sales and then sold him to Northern businessmen Bill Fawdry, Paul Burt and Jim Lowish.
Ryan's a winner
AFTER spending the majority of her life around horses Monica Ryan tasted success as an owner for the first time following the win of favourite Si Vite in the Incitec Pivot Maiden Plate (1400 metres).
Ryan is the daughter of Longford trainer Bill Ryan and has helped him with his horses for many years as well as her job as a bank employee.
Last year she had the opportunity to put a syndicate together and, following the generosity of owner Bruno Calabro, was given a horse to race.
Her syndicate includes her mother Mary, workmates and family friends.
They were at the races yesterday to cheer loudly for Si Vite ($2 fav) which won comfortably over Palata Vista ($10) and Gee Gee Miss Bee ($6.40).
Ryan explained that Si Vista carried the unflattering nickname of ``Ugly Betty''.
``When we first looked at her we called her Ugly Betty and the name has stuck,'' she said.
Luttrell aims high
BRIGHTON trainer John Luttrell admits he may be aiming a bit high but the $100,000 Thomas Lyons on Hobart Cup day is the target for restricted galloper Dangerous Geegee.
``He's a good horse this bloke and he's now won three races for me from 12 starts,'' Luttrell said.
``He led today and he's always hard to run down.''
Dangerous Geegee ($10.40) went to the line with plenty up his sleeve and beat favourite So Fast So Good ($3.70 fav) and Speed Control ($3.80) in the Trevor Bricknell Handicap (1400 metres).
It was the second leg of a winning double for Luttrell, jockey Edward Brennan and owners Paul and Elizabeth Geard who won the opening race with Gee Gees Beauty.
