Taplin pencils in ambitious winter plans for Quit 'N' Tap

By Glenn Davis

It’s a long and bumpy road from winning a maiden at the Sunshine Coast to a Queensland Derby but that’s the possible path for Quit ‘N’ Tap if he wins again at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Quit ‘N’ Tap, who trainer Kerry Taplin described as being “a little runt” at birth, produced a spectacular win on debut.

He scored by almost six lengths in a 1200 metre maiden on his home track at the Sunshine Coast on March 6.

“I’ve bred over 100 foals in my time and never had a foal like him,” Taplin said.

“He was so small and runty. His mother didn’t like coming from New Zealand’s South Island to Queensland when she was in foal."

Despite Quit ‘N’ Tap’s early growth concerns, Taplin is hopeful the three-year-old can maintain his unblemished record when the gelding steps out in the Class 1 Handicap at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Taplin admitted Quit ‘N’ Tap’s win on debut surprised the stable on a heavy track.

“It was a much better win than I anticipated,” she said.

“I didn’t think he’d win like that although he trialed well going into the race.”

Quit ‘N’ Tap is raced by the Taplin family and fellow owners James Moar and Bruce Dilks.

They all raced his mother Acquit in New Zealand.

“She was a fantastic mare who won three country Cups on New Zealand’s South Island,” Taplin said.

“We bred from her for a few years in New Zealand before the other partners decided not to continue breeding with her, so I kept her and put her to Vadamos.

“After Acquit foaled Quit ‘N’ Tap, the same owners came back in and bought a half share in him.”

Taplin believes Quit ‘N’ Tap has a bright future over ground and will step him up in distance to 1400 metres at his next start in the city.

“I think he’ll get 2200 metres and more but at the moment he’s racing on speed,” Taplin said.

“I don’ think he’s just a wet tracker and I’d like to see him take a sit on Wednesday.

“He’s gone forward since his win and it’s exciting.

“At this stage, I’m taking it one race at a time but hopefully he’ll get to the Rough Habit Plate in the winter and if he goes well in that we’ll look at the Queensland Derby.”