The Proisir gelding Tapildoodledo has been on the go since last September and had just a maiden win at Eagle Farm to show for it until Saturday.
Ridden by Reece Jones for Sunshine Coast-based trainer Kerry Taplin, Tapildoodledo made the 11th start of the campaign a winning one in a roughhouse Group II Elite Sand and Soil Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Owned and bred by Kerry Taplin’s husband, Ian, Tapildoodledo defeated the Savabeel colt Major Beel by a half-head with the Awesome Rock gelding Awesome John a long-neck back in third.
Formerly dairy farmers in New Zealand, the Taplin’s believe they have an ATC Australian Derby aspirant on their hands.
“It was amazing. To come all the way from the Sunshine Coast and win it is incredible,” Ian Taplin said.
“I think we might be in the Derby now.
“He jumped 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, just got home.”
Reece Jones believes the 2400m of the ATC Derby will be no problem.
“I think so absolutely; 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 (Taplin). 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, it kept responding, and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
A brother to Listed Christchurch Champagne Stakes runner-up Hot Tap, Tapildoodledo is the second winner from as many to race from the One Cool Cat mare Mrs Tappy.
Unplaced in two starts, Mrs Tappy is a daughter of the Group 1 NZ Oaks heroine Tapildo (Rhythm).
Mrs Tappy has a 2yo sister to Tapildoodledo named Sassy Tap. After foaling a Vadamos (FR) in October, Mrs Tappy visited Aquis Farm’s first-season stallion Glenfiddich.
Tapildoodledo is the 12th stakes-winner for Rich Hill Stud’s unstoppable Proisir.
