Plans remain in place for The Cleaner to head to Melbourne despite a first-up defeat at Launceston on Wednesday.

Taking up his customary position in front, The Cleaner was over run in the final 100m by the promising three-year-old Admiral in the George Adams Plate (1600m).

Trainer Mick Burles was far from disappointed with the 1-1/4 length defeat and said he will get more work into the gelding before the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 14.

"I'm happy with him. He needed that for the Australian Cup," Burles said.

"It's still two-and-a-half weeks away so I'll give him a couple of days off and get into him on Monday."

The winner may also be heading to Melbourne for the Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 7.

Trainer Barry Campbell has had a number of outstanding horses through his stable including Caulfield Guineas winner Alfa, El Mirada and Sedation and rates Admiral up there with those gallopers.

Campbell said he had paid up for the gelding at the second declaration stage for the Australian Guineas and will see how the horse recovers before making a firm decision.

It was Admiral's ninth win from 12 starts and Campbell believes the son of Mossman will be an even better as a four-year-old.

"We'll give him three or four days off and if he thrives we'll probably go to Melbourne, otherwise we'll put him out," Campbell said.

"It's not the end of the world if we don't go as he's still very immature."