Trainer Mick Burles has finally relented in making a gear change with popular front-runner The Cleaner.

The Cleaner will wear different headgear for his campaign swan song in the Easter Cup at Caulfield.

A visor, featuring blinkers with a slit in the cup, will replace standard blinkers the gelding has worn throughout most of his career.

Burles said his own stubborness had kept him from employing the gear change on The Cleaner who was a last-start fourth to Spillway in the Australian Cup.

Steven Arnold, who rides the gelding in Saturday's 2000m Group Three race, has told Burles The Cleaner raises another effort when other horses have passed him.

"Craig Newitt advised me around 10 starts ago that the visor is what he needs, but I've hesitated," Burles said.

"But after watching his run in the Australian Cup I think he does need them.

"Entirely Platinum got a half length in front of him but he came again and put him away."

Following Saturday's race The Cleaner will be back at Burles' Longford stable on Sunday morning before going for a two-month spell.

Burles will give The Cleaner a slow build-up for the early Melbourne weight-for-age races with the ultimate goal being the Cox Plate and Emirates Stakes.

The Cleaner finished ninth behind Adelaide in the Cox Plate before running third to Hucklebuck in the Emirates Stakes last spring.

"I would like to get a Group One next to his name and one of those early spring races would be right up his alley if he's right," Burles said.

"He'll never run in a Melbourne Cup so the Cox Plate is where I'll head and then the Emirates."

Burles said the Easter Cup was a race The Cleaner could win after he topped off his preparation for Saturday with a gallop over 1000m on Tuesday morning.

"I couldn't see much as it was a bit foggy and I didn't get the clock on him, but his work rider said it was real strong work," Burles said.