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DEFENDING champ Ritza Piper heads into the Topgun Stayers off a similar routine to last year and owner Frank Gatt is confident she will be hard to beat

Joe Scerri-trained Ritza Piper (Ritza Lenny-Ritza Vonnie) was brilliant in beating Moraine Suzie and Palawa King in last year’s Group 1 feature and lines up again this year coming off great form.

She was second to Exploded in the Group 2 Sydney Cup at Wentworth Park on September 21 and has been sent to Victoria to again be prepared for the Group 1 feature by Paul Bartolo.

It was the program she underwent last year when successful.

“She’s been there a little while and had a 500 meter trial in preparation for Saturday night,” Frank said.

“There is a lot of pace in the race this year and it is a very hard race.

“Let’s hope she can settle close, and lead if possible.

“She’s there with a great chance again.”

Ritza Piper boasts career stats of 57 starts for 20 wins and 21 placings, earning $422,000.

She is also the winner of the G2 Summer Distance Plate and G3 Newcastle Cup.

She has been second in the G1 Bold Trease, G2 Sydney Cup, G3 Xmas Cheer, The 715, third in the G1 Association Cup and a finalist in the G1 Zoom Top and G1 National Distance.

Frank Gatt has been in greyhound racing for 55 years and admits his breeding program has presented him with riches he could once only have dreamed of.

“I’ve got a litter from Ritza Piper’s mother Ritza Vonnie by Feral Franky that are only young, but look great,” he said.

“”I’ve got Group 1 winner Ritza Donna who I have not bred with yet.

“There is a great young bitch Ritza Debra who won nine of 15 and a track record at Muswellbrook I have great hopes for.

“Ritza Vonnie has just come on season again and I want to mate her to Bernardo.

“And, I’ve just bought a couple of pups by Bernardo from Good Odds Cash.”

Gatt and trainer Joe Scerri have made no plans for retirement with Ritza Piper who turned four on November 1.

“I knew the legend Kevin Johns many years ago and he once had a staying bitch who was racing better at five and a half than she had when she was much younger,” Frank said.

Ritza Piper is a tribute to Joe and Frank and their handling of the great bitch’s career.

*Original article written by David Brasch for The Greyhound Recorder*