Queanbeyan's Cleary makes rare Queensland hit and run visit

By Glenn Davis

Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary will make a rare trip to Queensland for a hit and run mission with Kiss The Colours in the Class 3 Handicap at Ipswich on Thursday.

The 48-year-old Cleary last crossed the Queensland border when he sent his promising filly A Million Roses north in the hope of snaring a spot in the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January.

However, A Million Roses failed to secure a Magic Millions berth when she tailed of last in a field of nine behind the Tony Gollan-trained Barbie’s Sister in the Listed Calaway Gal at Eagle Farm in December.

Cleary has been a highly successful trainer since taking out his licence 26 years ago and is the son of legendary Queanbeyan trainer Frank Cleary.

The 76-year-old Frank Cleary famously won the Magic Millions Classic with Clan O’Sullivan in 1992 and is still churning out winners in the Canberra region.

He only has one horse in work, the aptly named My Last Hooray, who won at Goulburn last week.

Kiss The Colours is an intriguing runner at Ipswich and has started 15 times for three wins and as many placings.

The four-year-old won over 900 metres in similar grade three starts back at Queanbeyan in June before placing over 1000 metres in Class 3 company in the middle of July.

At her latest appearance, Kiss the Colours finished fifth in a 1000 metre Benchmark race at Queanbeyan on September 10.

Kiss The Colours is part-owned by Joe Cleary’s wife Sharlene and is a daughter of Power, a dual Group 1-winner in the United Kingdom.

She was a cheap $16,000 buy at the Magic Millions March sales at the Gold Coast in 2022.

Joe Cleary is confident Kiss the Colours can return home a winner after her hit and run mission.

“I was looking for a suitable race for her as there was nothing around for her at home,” Joe Cleary said.

“I found this 800 metre race at Ipswich so I thought why not have a go.

“She’s very fast and if she can cross them, she’ll put them away.

“She’s drawn awkwardly and barrier one would have been ideal as 900 metres pulls her up.”

Joe Cleary’s biggest wins in Queensland were with his former star sprinter Ta Ta Tatiana in the Gai Waterhouse in 2003 and the Dane Ripper Stakes when it was a Listed race in 2004.