The Cleaner and Mourinho have staged some great battles on the racetrack and next week they will become stablemates.
The horse known as the `Longford Lion’ will join the stables of Mourinho’s trainer Peter Gelagotis after a day of negotiations following the announcement that The Cleaner was leaving trainer Mick Burles.
Racing manager Manny Gelagotis said he’d held discussions with The Cleaner’s ownership group and Burles before deciding the stable would take over the training of The Cleaner.
“It was a difficult day but I’m satisfied with what the outcomes are,” Gelagotis told Melbourne radio station RSN.
“It’s no secret that Mick’s not happy and at the end of the day no trainer is happy to be losing their best horse.
“What we’ve got to do is to reunite these people.
“We are the innocent party and we’ve got to make it right for all people.
“Mick Burles has been in the forefront of our mind and has become a very good friend over a short period of time.
“We can sleep well at night as we have the full support of everyone involved with the horse.”
Manny Gelagotis admitted they did consider knocking back the offer to train The Cleaner but said the turning point came when he spoke to Burles.
He says the stable is looking forward to working with Burles and the owners to get The Cleaner back to top form.
The Cleaner is expected to arrive at his new home in the next seven days.
In recognition of the role Burles has played in the career of The Cleaner who has won 19 of his 54 starts, the horse will continue to race in the trainer’s colours.
Meanwhile, Mourinho is back in work preparing for a return to autumn racing which Gelagotis says is likely to be in the C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield on February 13.
