The prolific Queanbeyan premiership winner follows up from the Wagga Wagga carnival with four lightly raced gallopers throughout the seven-race programme.
Where most punters' money will be concentrated on regional training heavyweights, the local Joseph and Jones stable and ACT's Keith Dryden represented in most races following the Riverina meets, however Joe rarely misses as a Sapphire regular.
In capacity fields, Joe rates last start winner Red Hot Sass and maiden Raider Eightyeight as his best chances at appealing odds. Both to be ridden by Joe's Moruya based local 3kg claiming apprentice Ruby Haylock.
Red Hot Sass, a four-year-old Redwood (GB) mare, continues Joe's long and productive association with prolific industry breeder Gerry Harvey in a Club Sapphire South Coast Cup BM 58, 1600m. Raider Eightyeight contests a Tathra Beach Bowlo Mdn 1200m.
"Both on the up, in suitable races with Ruby's claim and handy enough draws, always the place to be at this track," Joe enthused from Wagga Wagga.
"Red Hot Sass broke through to win a maiden here at 1400m, will relish out in distance and will settle closer at the 'mile'.
"She did come from rearward to win, always tough at this track that favours on pace. But in saying that, four last start winners make it an above average BM58.
"The blinkers will make all the difference to Raider Eightyeight, he's had a let-up since two promising placings last prep - he's a Better Than Ready, early developers. Shallow race this I think, he'll be breaking through sooner than later."
Joe Cleary is training a substantial team at Queanbeyan, and also at Moruya where Ruby is based, and local trainer Shaun Cody is Joe's foreman. "We need to two stables and tracks to accommodate the numbers."
Meanwhile Dryden, operating at a career best strike rate of 18% the win and 42% the place and 41 season wins, has trained doubles at recent Sapphire meets and is a watch with Yesterday's Gone and Loafing in early races.
Keith has the momentum of winning again with unbeaten Sister Moon at Wagga Wagga on Thursday. Her and Vinolass, also unbeaten in three starts and the subject of a massive Victorian offer, landed a double at the previous Sapphire meeting.
The track at present is a soft 6 in fine weather.
