The Tasmanian connections of crowd favourite The Cleaner are likely to lower their sights and pass on a third WS Cox Plate start for the popular front runner.

Part owner Bill Fawdry indicated a third Cox Plate start in unlikely for The Cleaner after he finished fifth in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

The nine-year-old veteran was having his second start for Victorian trainer Peter Gelagotis following his transfer from Tasmanian trainer Mick Burles. He received a pass mark as he was beaten only 3.2 lengths after showing his customary pace to lead into the straight.

Fawdry said a final decision on The Cleaner’s program would be made after his next start in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 24.

The Cleaner finished third in the Underwood last year behind Mourinho and Fawkner before finishing seventh in the Cox Plate. In his first Cox Plate attempt in 2014 The Cleaner finished ninth.

Fawdry suggested The Cleaner will need to produce a similar Underwood performance to last year to warrant a Cox Plate start.

He said the $200,000 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day is considered a more viable target for him this year.

The Cleaner has raced 56 times for 19 wins and 16 places. He has won five of his 10 starts at Moonee Valley.