Scerri's ‘Silent Assassin' Flying Under The 715 Radar

JOE Scerri admits he approached the heats of The Ladbrokes 715 with great trepidation with Group 1 winner Ritza Piper.

Ritza Piper, a NSW Greyhound of the Year finalist, resumed from more than four months on the sidelines in last Friday night's heats of the world's richest staying race at The Gardens.

The November '20 daughter of Ritza Lenny and Ritza Vonnie, also owned by Scerri, hadn't been seen in action since December 16.

FIELDS AND FORM THE GARDENS FRIDAY NIGHT

Scerri revealed doubts about how Ritza Piper would perform first-up over the testing trip wasn't the only fright he'd received as he patiently plotted the G1 Topgun Stayers winner's return from injury.

"I was really scared, really worried," Scerri said.

"It was her first run back with other dogs for four months.

"We'd worked her up to it, but we'd had so many little hiccups and issues along the way. 

"She injured her hock and webbing at Wentworth Park when she ran second to Valpolicella (G3 Christmas Cheer).

"I got her back but at her second trial at Dapto she smashed into the catching pen gate at full pelt.

"I could've lost her. The Maltese really came out in me!

"We were looking at the (G1) Association Cup but she wasn't ready and I'll always do what's best for the dog. 

"A lot of people think about the money, but I don't care what race it is, if she's not ready she won't be running."

Scerri needn't have worried, as Ritza Piper made an eye-catching return.

She punched her ticket for Friday night's $500,000 to-the-winner The 715 decider with a strong-finishing second to Tasmanian star Raider's Guide.

While Raider's Guide opened up an unassailable mid-race lead, Ritza Piper made significant late inroads to be beaten only three lengths in a flying 41.52.

Raider's Guide was shaded for heat honours by another interstater, with Queenslander Valpolicella clocking 41.51.

"Very happy," Scerri said.

"She was taking ground off Raider's Guide and the seven (If You Say) put her under pressure early too.

"I reckon she can improve this week. 

"After I'd hosed her down she wouldn't have blown a candle out. She'll run all day; she's very clean-winded."

Part by design, Ritza Piper is flying under the radar in the countdown to The 715.

With ‘bookends' Valpolicella (box 1 – $2.25 favourite) and Raider's Guide (box 8 – $3) dominating betting, Ritza Piper (box 3) is on the fourth line of betting at $7.50.

Scerri is content to let his quiet achiever's racetrack deeds do the talking.

And Ritza Piper's form prior to her lengthy enforced break speaks volumes.

She's finished top two in her last nine starts, notably dominating the Listed Newcastle Cup at The Gardens on December 9, clocking a near-record 41.43, just .03 outside Cool Bourbski's 715m benchmark.

"I don't like any extra pressure coming into these big races," said Scerri.

"I'd rather be a silent assassin! We needed to draw inside, so we've got what we wanted.

"She needs to be in the first three and not get touched.

"The run before she was injured she nearly broke the record at The Gardens and if she gets up there on Friday, don't be surprised if she goes close to it again."