Former Southlanders Ian and Kerry Taplin plundered the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday with improving staying three-year-old Tapildoodledo (NZ) (Proisir).
Sent south from their new Sunshine Coast base, Tapildoodledo turned in the perfect trial for next week’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and collected a good prize along the way.
A son of boom Rich Hill Stud sire Proisir, Tapildoodledo had found the line well when third over 1820m at Eagle Farm at the beginning of March.
Ridden by Reece Jones, the $20 outsider came from worse than midfield to land the prize in a solidly run Tulloch and in the process provided Kerry Taplin with her first Group Two win as a trainer.
Owned and bred by Taplin’s husband, Ian, Tapildoodledo defeated the Savabeel colt Major Beel (NZ) by a half-head with Awesome John (Awesome Rock) a long-neck back in third, while the Andrew Forsman-trained Full Of Sincerity (NZ) (Puccinni) hit the line well for fourth.
Ian Taplin was delighted to win a Group Two race with the gelding, who is a grandson of the Sheila Laxon-trained Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Tapildo, whom Taplin raced with his late father Syd.
“It was amazing. To come all the way from the Sunshine Coast and to win it, incredible. I think we might be in the Derby now,” Ian Taplin said.
“He jumped out wide from the outside gate and he just went straight to the bend, and then he got one off and sat there until the 600m and then he got moving on him, and just got home.
“I am confident he will get 2400m (Derby distance). The grandmother is Tapildo, who won an Oaks and would have gone further if given a chance.”
The Taplins have made the Sunshine Coast their home since last winter when they bit the bullet and sold up their 800-cow dairy operation at Isla Bank.
Jockey Reece Jones believes the 2400m of the Australian Derby will be no problem.
“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Jones said.
“He’s only little but tries hard, and it’s great to get a win for Kerry. They travelled a long way down here, and it’s great to repay that.
“It was a little bit tricky going into that first corner. I had to relinquish a spot I wanted and travel that pair further back.
“Good little change of luck for me today. Credit to the horse; he switched off and gave me a lovely run in behind.
“It was a genuine tempo, which made it a genuine staying trip, which is great to see instead of a sit and sprint. When I asked for an effort, he kept responding, and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
A brother to Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) runner-up Hot Tap (NZ), Tapildoodledo is the second winner from as many to race from the One Cool Cat mare Mrs Tappy (NZ).
