Gittus Lands Launceston Treble

MANGALORE trainer Susan Gittus, involved in the sport for more than 25 years, landed a dominant winning treble when Surrender, Undermine and Perdie Shuffle were all successful over the short sprint at Launceston last week.

 Her night was off to a flying start when Surrender, after quickly finding the front from box six and then shaking off Kath Emery, ran out an easy winner by 5 ¾ lengths in a slick 16.18 over 278 metres.

The Fernando Bale x Pacha Queen bitch remains unbeaten at three from three over the track and distance, with the win giving the red fawn bitch her over all fourth career victory in 11 starts all in Tasmania.

"Surrender is a very reliable beginner and a faultless chaser, she has ability and the litter looked to be really well suited to the sprint trip early in their careers," Gittus said.

"This bitch was coming into a testing race and I was concerned as before they jumped Lucy's Locket (seven) started to make quite the racket in the boxes and I didn't think Surrender would hear the lure and time the start right.

"What is in this bitch's favour is her brilliant box speed which placed her with a great chance and to win three from three is a great achievement for her."

In a litter double over 278 metres on the program, litter brother Undermine railed strongly from box two and ran out a 1 ¼ length win over Elite Outa and Lashing Harry in 16.39.

The red brindle chaser produced a winning double in five days, coming off a strong victory at Hobart Thursday week over 340m, which in total produced his second career victory in 11 starts.

"I was very proud of Undermine's win due to the fact he may not be the fastest dog in comparison to his sister Surrender but is consistent and a very strong finisher in all races," Susan added.

Gittus reported that Pacha Queen has her second lot of progeny on the ground, a six-month-old litter consisting of eleven pups by former Hobart Thousand winner Unlawful Entry.

"The Fernando Bale litter can be highly strung so for her (Pacha Queen) next litter I went with Unlawful Entry, not only because of what he did on the track but also his quiet nature. The dog stayed with me when he raced in both Hobart Thousands.

Bringing up the treble on Monday was a smart purchase by Gittus in Purdie Shuffle who led all the way from box six, sprinting well clear in the straight to score by 3 ¼ lengths from Millie Magna and Miss Hanigan in 16.20.

The Swift Fancy x Molly Molloy bitch landed her ninth win from 37 career starts for Gittus.

"I've trained Purdie Shuffle right throughout her career in Tasmania and I bought her from the previous owners in Melbourne – she has been a star for the kennel," beamed Susan Gittus.

"Back in January this bitch dropped a back muscle quite severely and took four months to make a complete recovery from the injury. She turns four in December and is due for a good life in retirement, but she still loves to race and I'm happy for her to keep going."

Susan Gittus is a well-known figure of the greyhound industry in Tasmania, not only as the states GAP co-ordinator, but also respected conditioner who took out her trainer's licence in 1993, preparing formidable winners Feraro Tiger and sister Dark Dignity.

The "Tiger" won 22 from 47 including a Devonport Breeders Classic, Gold Collar, and dual Olympic Park victories. Susan also won a State Distance Final with Ming Dynasty and two Maiden Thousand's with Origin Bale and Son Of Addis.

Susan followed into greyhound racing from her dad John Cameron, a Tasmanian Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame inductee in 2016.

John trained a brilliant list of both feature and top-grade winners, highlighted by the great Jenny's Legacy winning the 1991 Hobart Thousand.

The brindle bitch hailed from the famous Pat To Stop x Petite Flossie litter which included Shy Toby, Friendly Flyer, Talkaman, Pat Michael and Lilydale Lad. John also trained a brother called Pat To Shout, but Jenny was a champion.

These days Susan keeps to a small number of runners in work, having to juggle the role of running the GAP Program.

"I generally try to breed and race my own, I don't have a big number in work with most of my kennels used up by GAP placed dogs. I think this Fernando Bale litter will no doubt get a little bit stronger over time but how far in distance is going to be the question," Susan told.