![GREY GLORY: Willie Pike pilots Mandalong Tapit to victory at Tamworth. Photo: Bradley Photos GREY GLORY: Willie Pike pilots Mandalong Tapit to victory at Tamworth. Photo: Bradley Photos](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/de18b564-e458-45b6-bd7a-790bb030de5e.jpg/r0_109_2048_1365_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Sue Grills has turned her attention to Monday's Armidale meeting after teaming with star hoop Willie Pike to win at Tamworth.
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Sydney-based Pike rode the striking grey Mandalong Tapit to victory in the Mornington Showcase Handicap (2100m) at at Tamworth Cup meeting on Friday.
The triumph was part of a golden run the famed Western Australian jockey had with Tamworth trainers on the day.
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In the previous race, a maiden showcase plate (1400m), Pike won aboard the Cody Morgan-trained Hombre.
And then in the final race, the John Clift Memorial (1000m), Pike steered the Morgan-trained Trumped Up to victory.
"I thought he'd be hard to beat," Grills said of Mandalong Tapit, adding that she told Pike "to do what you think" on the horse.
![LAUDED: Willie Pike. Photo: Getty Images LAUDED: Willie Pike. Photo: Getty Images](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/b5e1d0ed-f1dd-4b89-90aa-e485d1442707.jpg/r0_0_1600_900_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"He should be handy," she also told him, adding: "Perfect ride. Had the run of the race all the way, and then just exposed him at the right time."
Mandalong Tapit flashed home to beat the Tracey Bartley-trained One More Sapphire (Aaron Bullock) by almost a length.
At Armidale's five-race, non-TAB meeting, Grills will have two runners. Four-year-old mares Jesellix and Mauraya will contest, respectively, a 1400m class one handicap and a 1100m maiden handicap.
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