At Tamworth on Sunday the Wisen Up syndicate was overjoyed with a win. Wisen Up has a good strike rate and was coming off a very good second at Scone last start where he was caught up right on the line.

Wisen Up, ridden by premier Jockey Robert Thompson, sat in second last place until the home turn, moved up stylishly and recorded a nice win. Wisen Up looks like being a visitor to our Cup meeting which is just around the corner and no doubt will be accompanied by a few more locally-owned horses.

In the same race Sweet Feet, who is raced by a group of 10 women including Colleen Green, ran a cheeky race in second place all the way and held on well to finish third. No doubt Sue Grills will be looking at a Walcha start for Sweet Feet who looks to have a bright future.

On the same program George Woodward had mixed luck with his entourage. Shinkashu finished fourth after racing in the lead for the major part of the journey, holding on well in the run to the line.

The run by Prize was also a good effort after coming from fifth on the turn to finish second by a half length.

George also had mixed luck at the Glen Innes Cup meeting where he won with Playmate and finished second with Little Hulla.

Playmate’s run was full of merit as he had to do it hard in the run to the line, eventually running down the leader to go on to a nice win.

Little Hulla’s run was also encouraging as he had to come from eighth on the turn to finish second.

The Armidale Jockey Club will hold its Walcha Cup prelude meeting on Australia Day. If you would like a day out after the celebrations in the park, then a trip to the races in Armidale could be just the thing.

The Armidale Jockey Club has been great supporters of our meeting and the winner of the Walcha Cup prelude will get a walk up start in the Walcha Cup.

Nominations for Monday’s meeting at Armidale have been excellent with full fields in all races.