Gelding shooting for Armidale Cup

Frank Tanner describes He's Full Of It as a homebody and a sook but the gelding is just one step away from realising a long-held ambition for the trainer and owners Mark Ritchie and Jim Dedes.

On Sunday at Armidale, the five-year-old lines up in the Jackson Livestock & Property Benchmark 67 Handicap (1900m), his last start before tackling the $25,000 Armidale Cup (1900m).

Last year, on an upside-down preparation, He's Full Of It finished runner-up to Derivative Receipt in the Armidale Cup.

This year however, the Armidale Cup has been targeted since He's Full Of It began his current preparation.

And if Tanner is right come March 22, the gelding will be cherry ripe to avenge last year's defeat.

He's Full Of It has been in top form lately, three starts back scoring a record-breaking win over 1600m at Tamworth on January 10 before a close fourth to Tocapitalize in the Walcha Cup (1440m) on February 12.

Last time out, He's Full Of It finished third to Last Rain and Eye On The Crown over 1600m at Quirindi on February 26.

"He broke a record at Tamworth then ran very good races at Walcha and Quirindi," Tanner said.

"He's travelling nicely.

"He's a more mature horse now, grown a bit, developed and thickened out.

"He's much more switched on, a real racehorse now.

"Last year when we went to the Armidale Cup he wasn't totally prepared for it. This time around it's been our major goal.

"Sunday, a race he can definitely win, should top him off nicely.

"He's looking for 1900 metres now."

Owned by Glen Innes-based Ritchie and Dedes, the Armidale Jockey Club secretary-manager, He's Full of It will carry 56kg on Sunday with Geoffrey Snowden to ride and has drawn perfectly in barrier two.

He's Full Of It, the winner of seven of his 33 starts, has an odd habit when it comes to early morning trackwork.

"As soon as you put the saddle on him he refuses to leave the stable," Tanner said.

"You've got to virtually drag him out.

"He's a real homebody, a bit of a sook.

"He doesn't like leaving his surrounds."

Tanner will also saddle up stud-bound mare Modern Glamour in the same event.

The mare is also headed towards the Armidale Cup, form warranting.

"I can't believe I haven't won a race with her yet," Tanner said.

"No horse in the place works better but come race day she just won't put her mind on the job."