Racing: Tirau rider sold on Dolcetto

Dolcetto (left) gets up to beat Longchamp. Photo / Race Images

Sam Collett won't be letting win machine Dolcetto out of her sights after continuing her outstanding association with the rising star at Tauherenikau.

The Tirau-based jockey has been happy to travel far and wide to ride the gifted son of Per Incanto and yesterday they combined to claim victory in the Johnson Brothers Open 1400m.

The 27-year-old has now partnered the Sylvia Kay-trained Dolcetto seven times for five wins and two runner-up finishes.

"He makes my job very easy," Collett said. "He's still a young horse in terms of starts as well."

Dolcetto was steadied to take a sit behind Longchamp and the gelding looked to be under pressure to stay in touch with the last-start Listed Opunake Cup winner near the turn.

"He's kept improving and what I like most is that while he struggled in the ground across the top, he really loves a fight," Collett said.

"I gave him a dig and he pulled alongside Longchamp and we got there."

The five-year-old will now be aimed at undercard racing on the last two days of the Hawke's Bay carnival, also the next port of call for a brave Longchamp, who gave six kilos to Dolcetto.

Longchamp has been set for the group one Tarzino Trophy on the first day of the meeting on September 2 by Andrew Campbell, who last Thursday confirmed he would be leaving his Opaki base of the last 23 years.

The Group One-winning trainer has purchased a Waikato property and Longchamp will be one of the 14 horses he will be relocating to his new Cambridge base.

Among those heading north will be Gobstopper, an impressive front-running winner of the Liquorland Masterton 2050m.

"He's got ability and I keep saying it, but with time on his side he's strengthened," said Campbell, who guided the early career of his outstanding brother Werther. He was a dual Group Two winner for Campbell and has since added three Group One victories in Hong Kong to his record.