Joe Cleary follows golden rule to Millions

Trainer Joe Cleary has remained loyal to Jess Taylor who rides Girls Are Ready in the MM Classic.

Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary is sticking to a policy his father Frank made a golden rule when Girls Are Ready lines up for her big assignment at the Gold Coast.

Cleary will have only his third Magic Millions day runner with Girls Are Ready in Saturday’s $2 million 2YO Classic (1200m).

The Cleary name is is already on the Classic honour roll thanks to Clan O’Sullivan who won the race in 1992 when trained by Frank Cleary.

Joe Cleary surprised some when he stuck with jockey Jess Taylor for Girls Are Ready.

“There were a few trying to white-ant her for the ride but there is no surprise about it. She knows the filly and has won twice on her,” Cleary said.

“Dad always had a policy of if it wasn’t broken, why fix it, and I stick with that.”

Taylor was on the Gold Coast on Tuesday to ride in a beach promotion but returned to Sydney to ride at Canterbury the following day.

Until she returns, Tegan Harrison has been helping with Girls Are Ready who worked on Wednesday morning.

Girls Are Ready is by boom Queensland sire Better Than Ready and cost $30,000.

“I put my mum and my wife in her with some of their friends so the filly is eligible for the all-women syndicate bonus,” Cleary said.

Cleary has had two Millions day runners in his own right with War Jet who won the Country Cup and unplaced Stolen Kisses in the Fillies and Mares.

Clearly is renowned for being laid-back but admits he can hardly wait for Saturday.

“It is great day and I always love coming to the Coast but this I something special,” he said.

Taylor, who is fast approaching 300 career winners, can join an elite group of women riders to win on Millions day.

Clare Lindop won the 2YO Classic on Augusta Proud (2008), Harrison the Fillies and Mares on Endless Shadow (2015), Deanne Panya the 2017 Magic Millions Cup (Testashadow) and Michelle Payne the 2016 Sprint (Husson Eagle.)