Kerry and Ian Taplin aiming for Queensland Winter Carnival success

Following their Group 2 Sydney success, Sunshine Coast trainers Kerry and Ian Taplin have uncovered their key chances and aims for the Queensland Winter Carnival.

Former New Zealand racing trainers now based on the Sunshine Coast, Kerry and Ian Taplin and their son Jack. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Despite being relatively new to the racing industry husband and wife Ian and Kerry Taplin have big plans for their three-year-old gelding.

Tapildoodledo, ridden by apprentice Reece Jones, took out the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) on March 25, at $20 odds.

Now the pair, and their son Jack, have their sights set on the Group 1 Queensland Derby on May 27.

“It was the first time we’ve ever taken a horse to Sydney and we got lost a number of times at the big courses which was funny,” Ian said.

“It took us a quarter of an hour to find the jockey’s room but the whole experience was great, the track, the stables, the grandstand was just unbelievable.

“To win too was even better and it’s very exciting knowing that most of my horses that we’re breeding at home, the mares and everything are immediate family.”

TAPILDOODLEDO wins the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes 🏆

The Sunshine Coast-based Taplin Racing Stable snare their maiden black-type success here in Australia - what a way to do it!

Congratulations to the Taplins 👏

📸 @ashbrennanphoto#QLDisRacing🏇 pic.twitter.com/VYVZJF3ynZ

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) March 25, 2023

The former Kiwi dairy farmer, who relocated to Caloundra in July, 2022, said Tapildoodledo would now be aimed for the Group 1 competition next month.

“He’s in some pretty good form for us and we’ll now go to the Queensland Guineas next Saturday over a mile and then into the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben over 2200m,” Ian said.

“If he goes well in that he’ll then go to the Queensland Derby over 2400m two weeks later again.

“We know he races well at Eagle Farm too because he ran fourth in the Group 3 (Ascot Green Grand Prix Stakes) a couple of months back.”

He said stable favourite Tappy’s Lad would also be one to keep an eye on.

“The other fella we’re looking to line up is Tappy’s Lad who is going to run on Saturday at Doomben over 2200m and then every fortnight through to the Cup,” he said.

“So we’ll step up from the 2200m to 2600m and then 3200m if we can get him into the Brisbane Cup and run him over two miles.”

The Taplins have recorded five wins and 10 placings from 36 starts at metropolitan level this season.