Dolcetto looks headed for the top

Exciting prospect Dolcetto was part of a near perfect day at Trentham for Sylvia Kay, who believes the best is yet to come from her talented four-year-old.

“He’s a very good horse and he’ll be even better in the spring,” said the Levin trainer, who co-bred and part-owns the son of Per Incanto.

Dolcetto showed his talent last preparation when he beat Eleonora, who subsequently won twice at Group Three level and placed in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks, at Hastings. He was also twice runner-up to Francaletta on the last two days of the Hawke’s Bay carnival.

He successfully returned to racing at Awapuni last month and on Saturday he accounted for a competitive Rating 85 line-up in The Hanley Formula Autumn Sprint Championship.

His victory followed the earlier winning lead of his stablemate Dr Watson in the 100% Appliances Magness Benrow Trentham Gold Cup while Kay’s Sylvester finished runner-up in the Jon Snow ATC Derby Premier.

However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for Dolcetto with rider Sam Collett forced to change ground on straightening when she was denied a run down the outside fence.

She switched inside and the gelding responded in style to register his fourth win in seven appearances.

“I’m thrilled for Sam as well, she’s such a good rider,” Kay said. “I was a bit worried at the start of the week as the horse had a stone bruise, but thankfully we got over that.”

Manhattan Street showed he was close to his best form with a solid effort for second ahead of Art Deco with their respective riders Chris Johnson and Alfred Chan sporting the Wellfield Stud silks.