Cleaver Greene looking to rake in Daintree Guineas winnings

Cleaver Greene may be at the end of his preparation but trainer Rodney Miller believes he is up there with one of the better four-year-olds in Far North Queensland.

Cleaver Greene may be at the end of his preparation but trainer Rodney Miller believes he is up there with one of the better four-year-olds in Far North Queensland.

The gelding will be looking to get back in the winners’ circle after a last start second in the Magic Millions Whitsunday Guineas QTIS 3YO Handicap at Mackay last month, which broke a run of three straight wins.

The Top Echelon gelding will s tart in the Magic Millions Daintree Guineas QTIS 4YO Handicap on Cairns Cup Day.

“He’s going into the race well but he’s probably at the end of his tether,” Miller said.

QLD_CP_SPORT_CUPPICS_26AUG21

“He’s had a fair few runs this time in and his trip to Mackay knocked him around a bit, so we took him up the paddock for a week and brought him back and he’s freshened up real good.

“He’ll go for a spell after this weekend and if he comes back good we might shoot him down to Brisbane if we can find a weak race down there somewhere.

“He’s only just started to learn how to settle in his race, he used to just go mad in front, but now we’ve taught him to settle he’s actually going pretty good.”

Miller said his stable was a family business, with his partner Louise Murray, stepdaughter Tiana Bruni, and her partner Scott Gittos all involved.

“Scotty rides all the track work, then there’s my missus Louise and Tiana helping out around the stables,” he said.

And he can’t forget young Connor, Tiana and Scott’s three-year-old son, who is never too far away from the stables.

Tiana Bruni and Connor Gittos hold Cleaver Greene, who will race in the Daintree Guineas, and trainer Rodney Miller with City Smart. PICTURE: Brendan Radke

Miller said there were early signs he would become involved in horses later in life.

“I think he will, he gets down here on the weekends and wants to work but we’ve got to stop him,” he said.

“He’s very keen on the horses, he loves them. I hope he does, but if he doesn’t, he won’t be getting pushed into it.”

He said the team were “really happy” about the way they were going at the moment.

And, if all goes to plan, things could remain that way for a little while longer.

“We’ve got some really nice three-year-olds to come back into work and a few of these older horses will go out after the carnivals,” Miller said.

“There’s some really well-bred horses, I’m really looking forward to it actually.”

Originally published as Cleaver Greene looking to rake in Daintree Guineas winnings