This year’s Golden Easter Egg looks like a swansong for Ritza Hattie but trainer Mark Gatt is hoping his gun chaser can end her racing days in style.
The four-time Group winner (pictured, green rug) jumps from box two in a formidable eighth heat in the series at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
It could be a final race for Ritza Hattie, whose notable record includes 19 wins and 22 minor placings from 47 starts.
Gatt admitted his charge, who has earned nearly $250,000 in a glorious career, will likely be retired if she bows out of the series at the first hurdle.
“I’ve been umming and aahing about it but there is a chance she will be retired,” Gatt said.
“It’s tough to make that decision but you have to do what’s right for the greyhound.
“If she goes through the series well that will give me something to think about, but if she doesn’t go any good (in the heats) I think that will be it.”
Ritza Hattie is among a group of top sprinters likely to be farewelled from racing after this year’s Easter Egg.
These include My Bro Fabio and Zipping Willow, two of the country’s best sprinters over the last two years.
Connections of both have indicated the star greyhounds will be retired after the series.
Zipping Willow (box seven) faces Ritza Hattie in a mouthwatering race also featuring Winsome Prince and Spring Leaf.
Ritza Hattie’s last big title came at the Group 2 Gosford Cup in January and she is still racing well.
She ran 29.87 while winning at Wentworth Park earlier this month from box two, where she jumps from again in the heat.
“She is three-and-a-half and I have aimed to breed with her at some point,” Gatt said.
“I couldn’t be happier with her at the moment racing-wise, though. She’s looking good and I think she’s got a decent chance of qualifying for the semis.”
For Saturday’s Golden Easter Egg heats fields, form and expert picks, click here.
