The clash between Tasmanian hero The Cleaner and his heir-apparent Admiral turned into a one-act affair when the Mossman four year-old won the LR Conquering Stakes (1400m) in Launceston on Wednesday night.

The Cleaner settled second but was a spent force when Noel Callow asked him for an effort before the home turn.  Admiral’s rider Brendon McCoull opted to take the shortest way home and aimed his charge at a rails run while others jostled their way into clear racing room out wide.

Admiral quickly put the end result beyond doubt and went on to score by almost a length.  “I am rapt with that effort but that’s what I expected,” trainer Barry Campbell said.  “This horse was our best two and three-year-old and he’s very special.

“We will now aim him at all the weight-for-age races because he’s weighted out of our handicaps.”

Admiral is a son of Vinery sire Mossman and has raced 15 times for 10 wins and prizemoney of $437,050 for owners Bruno Calabro, Ron & Trudy Schwanke and Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds.

The Cleaner disappointed and trainer Mick Burles was at a loss to explain the poor performance.  “He had a virus but his blood-count came back spot-on.  Something’s clearly not right and I will have him checked out.”

Admiral had defeated The Cleaner the last time they met in the LR George Adams Plate in February and they are scheduled to clash again in the $100,000 Tasmania Stakes on December 23.

ADMIRAL