The Cleaner, rated by many as Tasmanian’s best horse, will take aim at the Winter Championship Final at Flemington next month following his strong win at Moonee Valley.

 

After encountering some difficulty early in the race, Anthony Darmanin was able to take The Cleaner to his customary front running role.

 

Once The Cleaner found the front, Darmanin allowed him to bowl along and the six-year-old simply ran his rivals ragged to win the Travis Harrison Cup.

 

Trainer Mick Burles described The Cleaner, who will travel back to his home State on the boat tonight, as a “ripper”.

 

“He just doesn’t stop trying,” Burles said.

 

“I was a bit worried when I had to do a bit of work to get around them, but he’s got a lot of guts - it wouldn’t worry him.”

 

Burles said The Cleaner was to be his retirement horse, but he “ran out of money” and had to sell the horse.

 

The Cleaner notched win number 15 and took his prizemoney past $500,000.

 

Backed from $3.40 to $3.20 favorite, The Cleaner cruised to a three length win from Sadaqa, who was specked from $26 to $21.

 

The Chris Waller-trained Fulgur, backed from $6.50 to $5, was three lengths away third, but he should have finished much closer.

 

Fulgur was held up at a crucial time coming around the home turn.